Skaters are flying now park is open

It is five years since the teenagers first asked local councillors for somewhere to practice their boarding.

Now the £131,000 skate park is up and running in Liversedge, attracting youngsters keen to try out their tricks on its ramps.

Lesley Shaw, whose 19-year-old son Elliot is one of the skaters instrumental in the park's creation, said she first contacted councillors in 2000.

"I knew there was a group of skaters in Cleckheaton and they were having to go into Leeds or Sheffield to skate.

"So I asked if there was the possibility of having any facilities built closer to home.

"They have been involved at every stage and are really pleased with the results.

"The location also means they will be able to skate there."

The group of six keen skaters were able to gain some funding from a Government scheme, Living Spaces. They also worked with the contractor - Bendcrete - to get a design that would suit them.

It has taken three months to put together and the finishing touches will be added next month with the addition of an acoustic fence to prevent noise from carrying.

Funding for the skate park came from Living Spaces with a grant of £60,000, and £50,000 was from Kirklees Cultural and Leisure Services.

The Spen Area Committee added £21,000, of which more than half paid for CCTV and a youth shelter on the site, which will be managed by staff at Spenborough Swimming Pool.

Coun Ann Raistrick, who has been involved with the scheme since its start, said: "These young skaters were constantly moved on from school playgrounds, car parks and other areas in and around Cleckheaton. So they approached me.

"As a result I have enabled them to organise themselves into an enthusiastic, properly constituted group. This group has been at the forefront of the design, funding and organisation of this fabulous new skate park.

"It has taken time and patience to achieve but I am very pleased with the result."

She thanked other councillors on the area committee for supporting the scheme.