A SKATE park costing £140,000 will open in Cleckheaton next summer.

The Spen Skate Park will feature a series of ramps, grind rails and blocks for the more active and a youth shelter for those who prefer to watch.

It will be built on land behind Spenborough Swimming Pool at Bradford Road and will be free for anyone to come along and have a go.

The scheme has been in the pipeline since 2001 and was instigated by a group of young people - the Spen Skaters - who met councillors and officials about the plans.

Three years later and after a lot of hard work by all concerned, young people in the area will be able to reap the benefit.

Clr Ann Raistrick, who was involved in the scheme from the start, said: "I am so pleased for the young people of Cleckheaton, particularly the Spen Skaters, to have seen their hard work and enthusiasm finally pay off.

"I am sure that the Spen Skate Park will be a wonderful facility of which we can all be proud."

Damian Doyle, one of the Spen Skaters, is looking forward to being able to skate there in a few months time.

He urged people to get in touch with their local councillor if they had a good idea of how to improve the area.

He said: "They really worked hard to make this project happen for us."

Funding sources for the project have included Kirklees Council and the Government's Living Spaces scheme to help people improve their locality.