A SKATE park project will be opened later in the year after a Christmas present for village campaigners.

Members of Coxhoe Community Partnership have received confirmation of a £30,000 grant from the Coalfield Regeneration Trust.

Along with £44,000 already raised, it is hoped the multi-use skate park can be up-and-running to serve children and teenagers from Coxhoe and neighbouring villages east and south of Durham city, in time for the school summer holiday.

Although the overall target is in excess of £300,000, partnership secretary Barbara Hepplewhite said the group had "other irons in the fire" to help to build up the fund.

The skate park is the second phase of a scheme which has already seen the development of Coxhoe Kids Zone, a play park, next to the district sports centre in the village.

"A lot of the kids were saying they wanted somewhere for their bikes and skates.

"We always like to aim to develop something for all ages and we didn't just want it to be for skating," said Ms Hepplewhite.

"To cater for the younger ones we thought a road lay-out was ideal, particularly for toddlers with trikes.

"It will improve their highway skills and would be suitable for cycling proficiency tests.

"There would also be a Skid Zone skate park, a Trax area for mountain bikes along with the Cyclone road safety area."

Ms Hepplewhite said the partnership was working with Sport England on an Active England funding application, the result of which should be heard by February or March.

A further bid is being considered for funding from the Northern Rock Foundation, which could yield up to £25,000.

"The £30,000 from the Coalfield Regeneration Trust was a wonderful Christmas gift for the village," she said.

"But we never put all our eggs in one basket. It's better to raise money from a variety of sources.

"All being well, we hope to have it complete for the summer holiday."

Part of the overall scheme will see a small conservation area, The Willow Wisp, added on a small corner of the site.