The  parents of skeleton world champion Shelley Rudman are over the moon with the news that the athlete is expecting her second child.

Pewsey’s 2006 Olympic silver medallist, 33, revealed the news via her website and told fans that she will miss the forthcoming skeleton season this winter.

She wrote: “We have some very exciting news to share. In the New Year Kristan and I will be welcoming a new addition to our family.

“We are all super excited, and Ella is over the moon that she will become a big sister.

“This means that I will not be competing in the forthcoming competitive season and defending my World championship title.”

Shelley gave birth to her first child Ella in October 2007, the year after her Olympic silver success in Turin.

Shelley’s mum, Josie Rudman, said she hadn’t had much chance to speak to Shelley about the pregnancy while she was visiting the village for the carnival.

She said: “We’re delighted for Shelley and obviously Ella is going to be a big sister which she’s very excited about.

“We’ve known for a little while but Shelley wanted to make sure everything was okay before she let everybody know.”