A new �40,000 skate park in Downham Market will be officially opened later this month.

It has been more than four years since extreme sport fans tried out new tricks on their BMX bikes and skateboards in the town after the previous skate park at the Memorial Playing Field was torn down.

But town councillor Val Starling, who chairs the town's skate park working party, said the new skate park next to the Howdale Community Centre will be officially opened on Saturday, May 26.

Mrs Starling had hoped the opening of the skate park would have been on her list of civic duties during her year as mayor but she formally handed over the chain to Robin Pegg on Tuesday night.

However, she said: 'I'm not too disappointed because having worked on this project for so long, it's just nice to see it nearing completion.'

The council's working party had engaged with youngsters in the town before choosing the final design by Downham-based Highline Extreme. The town council then approved the design in November last year.

Funding for the �40,000 project came from not-for-profit business WREN, Downham Market Town Council, West Norfolk Council and Downham Skaters and Riders. West Norfolk council removed the previous skate park because it fell into disrepair and there were safety concerns.