It is the sort of job that is fraught with danger for any local MP: an opening ceremony at a skate park and an opportunity to give the new facility a go... and risk an embarrassing fall from a skateboard, captured on photo.

Perhaps unsurprisingly then, Duncan Baker opted to have a more leisurely look around North Walsham's stunning new £190,000 skate facility at Trackside Park off Norwich Road.

The North Norfolk MP, who performed the official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, has however vowed to return in the future to give the park a proper go.

"It is a real testament to the community that have worked so hard to build what is now the best skate park in the county for our young people to enjoy," he said.

"The team behind it, along with the many groups that brought the project to fruition, should be immensely proud of what they have achieved. I look forward to bringing my children down here soon and trying it myself."

The skate park has been a project of North Walsham Play, a charity which runs events and builds equipment around the town to encourage people to get active.

Matthew Smith, the charity's founder and trustee, said the park had already got a "very positive" reaction from skaters.

Eastern Daily Press: Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park.Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

He said: "They've commented on how smooth it is to ride, and said it is equally as good as anything else in Norfolk, if not better.

"We hope it will be an attraction for many years to come."

Mr Smith the skate park was all about "giving the community what they want".

He said: "Via consultations, the users of the old skate park have designed and shaped what we now see located at Trackside."

Eastern Daily Press: People gathered for the opening of the new North Walsham Skate Park.People gathered for the opening of the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Mr Smith said the skate park's construction was beset by challenges including Covid, lack of materials, storms and rain.

The facility cost £190,000, paid for by fundraising from charities and businesses and others, and grants of £75,000 from Sport England and £60,000 from the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund. Businesses have also helped by supplying materials and services for free.

Landscaping works, including putting in outdoor benches and tables, will take place in the coming weeks and cost another £10,000.

Floodlights, paid for through Section 106 funding - money provided by developers - will be installed in spring.

A celebration evening is being planned to take place at the skate park later this year.

Mr Smith said future projects North Walsham Play was considering included renewing older play equipment at the central Memorial Park, and at Woodville and Trackside parks.

Eastern Daily Press: A scene from the opening of North Walsham's new skate park.A scene from the opening of North Walsham's new skate park. (Image: John Townsend)

Eastern Daily Press: From left, mayor Garry Bull, North Walsham Play founder Matt Smith and MP Duncan Baker at the opening of the new North Walsham Skate Park.From left, mayor Garry Bull, North Walsham Play founder Matt Smith and MP Duncan Baker at the opening of the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park.Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park.Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park.Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park.Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park.Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park.Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park.Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park.Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park.Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: Duncan Baker runs up the slope at the new North Walsham Skate Park.Duncan Baker runs up the slope at the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: Duncan Baker at the new North Walsham Skate Park.Duncan Baker at the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: North Walsham Play founder and trustee Matt Smith at the new North Walsham Skate Park.North Walsham Play founder and trustee Matt Smith at the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: Young people at the opening of the new North Walsham Skate Park.Young people at the opening of the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: A scene from the opening of the new North Walsham Skate Park.A scene from the opening of the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: A scene from the opening of the new North Walsham Skate Park.A scene from the opening of the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: A scene from the opening of the new North Walsham Skate Park.A scene from the opening of the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: A scene from the opening of the new North Walsham Skate Park.A scene from the opening of the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: A scene from the opening of the new North Walsham Skate Park.A scene from the opening of the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: A scene from the opening of the new North Walsham Skate Park.A scene from the opening of the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)

Eastern Daily Press: Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park.Young people try out the new North Walsham Skate Park. (Image: John Newstead)