SUPPORTERS of a new £100,000 skating facility in Skipton's Aireville Park have welcomed the start of work.

The skatepark, designed by industry leaders Freestyle, has been made possible with financial support from several organisations, including Craven District Council, and is expected to be completed towards the end of the summer holidays.

Fiona Protheroe, chairman of Friends of Aireville Park, said the skatepark would be a brilliant addition to Aireville Park.

“This project just goes to show how much can be achieved when the Friends of Aireville Park, Craven Youth Council and Craven District Council all pull together," she said.

Jay Harrison, from the Skipton skatepark user group, said: “We’re really excited about the new skatepark and we can’t wait for it to be completed.

“We’ve all worked hard on the plans to create a great skatepark for everybody, and it’s fantastic to see it becoming a reality.”

Craven Council gave £37,500 towards the project, while the Veolia Environmental Trust awarded £25,000 and Yorventure Environmental Body Ltd gave £27,085. Both were awarded through the Landfill Communities Fund.

A further £10,000 was given from the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire Community Fund.

Craven Youth Council and Friends of Aireville Park also raised money through Craven Dragons Den and fundraising events such as a car wash and café.