STOURPORT'S new skate park is being officially opened next week.

The £87,000 facility, at the Riverside, has been funded by Wyre Forest District Council and partners with £4,000 from Stourport Forward and further £68,000 from a Government rewards grant.

The council asked local young people for their views on the design, the sort of equipment and the materials the park should be made from. They chose a concrete skate park, which offers a different facility to the one at Brinton Park in Kidderminster.

Skaters are invited to take part in the opening, at 11am, on Friday. Councillor Nathan Desmond, the district council's cabinet member for community and leisure services, will officially open the skate park.

He said: "The council is delighted to fund and build such an exciting new facility in Stourport. We recognise that there is a shortage of facilities for teenagers in the area and the council is determined to change this by working with youngsters."

He added: "Local skateboarders have designed the skate park and, therefore, it will provide for their needs. We hope that it will prove very popular and a massive hit with local users and visitors."

A skating event is being organised by the council during the summer. Youngsters will be able to watch demonstrations and get tips from one of the country's top skaters.