YOUNG people are being asked to help design and create a sculpture for a newly-opened skate park.

The Arts Council has allocated £8,000 to the Northallerton project to produce an artwork that will reflect skating.

An artist will work with boarders, bladers and bikers as well as users of the neighbouring Hambleton Leisure Centre floodlit pitch and playing fields.

The £128,000 centre at Stone Cross was handed over to the Northallerton Wheelers Skateboard Group last November, and the group is now managing the facility.

The Wheelers had campaigned for a meeting point for many years and helped in its design.

"The young people were very involved in getting this facility off the ground, so it is only right that they should have a say in the artwork as well," said local cabinet member for health, Councillor Neville Huxtable.

"We are delighted to have secured this funding from the Arts Council and want to make sure it is used to create something which reflects the facility and is in keeping with its surroundings."

It is hoped that the project will be ready for installation this summer.