RED TAPE has led to Swindon-based ska-ters Andrew Seabrook, and Tiffany Sfikas being ruled out of next week's European Cham- pionships in Bratislava.

They had been selected to represent Great Britain in the forthcoming championships following their success in capturing the British Pairs title in December at the British Championships in Ayr.

But their hopes of competing in their first European Championships together and the possibility of more success have been dashed by the International Skating Union (ISU).

On receiving all of the necessary championship paperwork, the ISU refused to give permission for them to skate in Slovakia because of a problem with Tiffany's residence qualifications.

The 23-year-old's parents are Greek and Italian, but she was born in America and is an American citizen.

However, she has been skating with Andrew, 22, for 15 months, is based in Swindon, and had obtained the necessary number of days residence in this country to allow the couple to compete together in the British Champion-ships .

All the criteria seemed to have been met until the ISU threw

a spanner in the works this

week.

"It is all very confusing and I don't really understand it all," said Andrew.

"Of course I am disappointed that we will not be going to the Europeans, but we just want to get all the things sorted out so it doesn't happen again.

"My dad and a lawyer who is a specialist in these matters are sorting it all out.

"Tiffany has some more forms to fill in and return. Then we should be given the go-ahead to skate in the world championships in a couple of months.

"From what I understand, the ISU say they need to see a residence stamp in her passport, which effectively allows her to stay here permanently.

"But we don't do that in this country. I think it is done at six monthly intervals.

"What she needs is a long-term visa and hopefully by filling out these new forms and using expert advice it will be sorted out for good."

Their coach at the Link Centre, Lesley Norfolk Pearce, said: "It is very unfortunate for them as they skated very well together in the British Championships in Scotland.

"They skated a very good clean long programme, thoroughly deserved to win the title and earned their selection for the European Championships.

"Now they are unable to go but this is only a minor hitch and should be sorted very soon, so they will be able to go to Canada and compete in the World Championships in March."

Andrew previously skated for over four years with Ukrainian Marsha Poluliaschenko in British, European and World Championship events, but they split at the end of 1999 when Marsha returned to the Ukraine.