Young skateboarders and BMX riders had their first taste of Calne’s revamped skate park this week when it reopened.

An official opening is expected later in the spring but the park has been open throughout half term and is already proving popular.

At a meeting last week, Calne Area Board closed down the skate park working group but will continue to support the project with an independent community group represented on the Calne Local Youth Network.

Board chairman and Wiltshire Councillor Christine Crisp said: “The young people’s commitment is such that they did not merely request others to provide this facility for them, but worked hard and helped raise over £65,000 towards the project.

“They have worked with Wiltshire and Calne Town Council officers and the area board to develop plans, appoint contractors and manage public concerns and expectations.

“They have recognised the need to raise the profile of young people in the town and to gain public approval for their project. These young people deserve the commendation of their peers and their community.”

The old skatepark, originally built in 1998 by volunteers, was demolished in October after a report from engineers Mann Williams said it was structurally inadequate.

Jordan Hyde, 18, a member of Calne Bowl Project, went alongyesterday to use the new park. He said: “It’s very good. Everyone has been coming and saying how good it is and lots of people have been down already.

“We all had roles in the project and we raised around £10,000 towards it ourselves, with bag packing and things like that.”

Mr Hyde has been part of the project for four years, working with the area board and the town council, who helped towards some of the costs of the new facility.

Mother-of-two Michelle Waite said: “It looks good – my children wanted to come along and see what it looked like. It’s definitely good because we do need stuff in Calne for the teenagers.”