WORK is set to start on an £80,000 skate park – which has been designed with the help of youngsters in Shildon – to replace a run-down facility.

Skate boarders and BMX bikers in Shildon have had to use a worn out facility built nearly 12 years ago in Hackworth Park.

Shildon Town Council was approached by youngsters hoping to get a new facility built in the town.

The teenager’s concerns were taken on board by the councillors and this week they agreed to award a contract to Freestyle Skateparks for a new £80,000 skate park.

The venture will have 12 features to test the skills of skaters but although a start date has yet to be decided it is hoped to complete the work by the summer.

Tracey Bellas, council clerk, said: “The current skate park is a very well use facility but it is coming to the end of its life.

“We had a consultation event where youngsters could come along to view the designs. The overwhelming majority wanted this one.

“The idea for a new one was first raised a couple of years ago after youngsters contacted us to say that parts of the skate park were no longer working.

“We’re really happy that we have managed to secure funding and that this will be a facility for young people to enjoy in the park.”

The old skate park has steel ramps, rails and a Tarmac surface and the new venture have concrete ramps and rails.

The council approached five groups for designs before it decided upon Freestyle Skateparks.

There have been problems in the past with the old skate park as youngsters hid in the gaps under the ramps to drink alcohol.

The gaps have since been closed up by the council preventing any repeat incidents.

Former Durham County councillors for Shildon, Garry Huntington and David Hancock, jointly gave the project £,7000 from their county council neighbourhood budgets.

The town council has given £23,000 and a further £50,000 was secured from the Inspired Facilities Fun, of Sport England.

Cllr Huntington, also of the town council, said: “The youngsters went to the park and they made the decision on what they wanted themselves.

“We have listened to them and they are getting what they wanted and I’m quite happy to go ahead with it.”