Young skateboarders and BMX bikers were out in force at the weekend for the opening of a new skatepark today.

The unveiling of the new �100,000 TM (Thorpe Marriott) Green Arena, at the former ball court on Thorpe Marriott Green, was a real community celebration because it was the result of three year's hard work and fundraising.

At the official opening today (Saturday), Sally Wilson-Town, Taverham Parish Plan Sub Committee vice chairman who helped lead the project, said: 'It has been a long three years but it has definitely been worth all the hard work. The young people are absolutely loving it.

'As well as being a skate and BMX park, it is also going to be a graffiti art gallery and a meeting place for young people.'

She explained that lots of different people including a special Taverham High School Youth Team had been involved in realising the project.

'It has just been wonderful, a real privilege to work with these young people to achieve this. They are absolutely fabulous. There has been so many people involved in the project and I would just like to say a big thank you,' she said.

Georgia Myhill, 15, who was one of the youth team members, said: 'The skatepark is brilliant. It will give young people around here something to do. It will encourage people to do more exercise and get fitter.'

Fellow youth team member Ana Jubb, 15, said: 'I am a skateboarder and I think the new skatepark is pretty good. It is going to be a good way to meet new people too.'

BMX biker Kyle Hawes, 13, said: 'Until now the closest skatepark has been Eaton Park, and I got involved in the project because I really wanted to be able to go to a closer skatepark. It is great.'

On Saturday people young and old gathered for the special celebration. There were skateboarding and BMX displays and competitions throughout the day, as well as the chance to get involved in decorating the TM Green Arena walls with graffiti.

Claudette Bannock, chairman of Broadland District Council, officially opened the new facility which has been funded by a combination of community fundraising and money from different organisations including Taverham Parish Council, Broadland District Council and Biffaward.

• Are you celebrating an achievement in your community? Call reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk