AFTER years of waiting, fans of skateboarding are finally to get their own skate park.

The Northallerton Wheelers will be presented with the keys to the brand new facility this weekend.

It brings to a conclusion years of campaigning and negotiation in the town for an area where skateboarders and in-line skaters can practice their sport safely.

Safety checks are being carried out at the Stone Cross site to get the £128,000 facility up and running.

It had originally been due to open last month but bad weather has meant an extended wait for the youngsters.

"The last few weeks of rain and wind have really worked against us," said Dave Goodwin, Hambleton District Council's head of leisure and tourism services.

"Safety barriers couldn't be installed, concrete was not setting and the final surface clean-up had to wait.

"But, at long last, we are now ready for the off and the gates will open this weekend."

He added: "We know the youngsters were very disappointed that they couldn't spend their school holidays on it, but we hope it has been worth the delays.

"Safety has always been of paramount importance to us - we could not go ahead with an opening until we were sure everything had been completed."

The district council has acted as project manager for the scheme, but the park will be managed by the Northallerton Wheeles, a local group of enthusiasts who have long campaigned for a park.

Cash for the scheme has been provided by Barratt, of York, Northallerton Lionesses, Hambleton Community Safety Partnership, the Wheelers and the district council.

The designs were drawn up in collaboration with its future users and involved some complex technology.

The ramps have been created using the same concave methods used to build the Channel Tunnel.

Safety barriers have also been installed around all the ramps and a rest area has been provided.

The facility will be handed over to the Wheelers at 2pm on Saturday and a formal opening will be organised later this year.