Skateboarders and scooter riders in Marlbor-ough have won a grant to help them promote a positive image of their sport and run a major competition at the town’s skate-park in May.

The youngsters, aged eight to older teenagers, have set up a new club called Sk8 with the support of fathers Phil Birkett, who runs Acceler8 the leisure, cycling and skateboard shop in Hilliers Yard, and Peter Shellswell.

More than 50 youngsters regularly use the skatepark at Salisbury Road Recreation ground which the town council provided two years ago.

Skate boarders, scooter riders, BMX bikers and in-line skaters use the facility, which is overseen by Jan Bowra who runs the nearby Youth Development Centre.

Now Sk8 is planning its first major event, a skateboard and scooter competition on Bank Holiday Sunday May 27.

The skaters and scooter riders formed their own committee and successfully applied to last week’s meeting of Marlborough Area Board for a grant to cover start-up costs and the Sk8 and Scoot 2012 competition.

In their written submission to councillors the club members said: “We hope this will be an annual community event and plan to advertise it at St John’s School and in the surrounding area.

“We aim to promote a positive image of skateboarding and scooters to the community. We also hope the event will encourage young people to engage with the town.”

After hearing that the youth development service was giving a grant of £1,300 and Tesco had put up kick-start funds of £50, area board members agreed to give a grant of £1,780.

The grants will cover the cost of running the competition including insurance, marquee hire, hiring a climbing wall, music and PA, providing security and bringing in experts from the Rubicon Skate School.

Club member Jordan Telfer, 19, said: “There are quite a few of us involved in organising Sk8 with help from Mr Birkett.”

Jordan said people travelled from as far as Swindon and Devizes to use the skatepark and he praised Marlborough town councillor Rich Pitts who helped get the skatepark funded.

“It gives the kids something to do and for a lot of us it’s a new activity,” Jordan said.