skateboarding facilities have opened in Middlesbrough, two months ahead of schedule.

The Park End skateboarding centre and multi-use sports court for football and basketball will be open over the Christmas holidays.

The initiative has been led by environmental regeneration charity Groundwork South Tees.

The scheme is aimed primarily at local people, who have been involved with the design, and will complement existing play amenities for younger children.

Trainees from the Wise Group Intermediate Labour Market team have carried out all the work on site.

Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, opened the facilities.

He said: "I am delighted to be opening this new skateboarding and sports facility.

"It will be a great boost for local youngsters and is a marvellous way of enhancing the local environment.

"I am especially pleased the physical work of building the courts has been carried out by the Wise Group, something which means local people have been employed to carry out local work.

"My thanks and admiration go to the Groundwork Trust for the way in which they have carried out the management of the project, a project that brings enjoyment and pleasure for local youngsters."

Middlesbrough Partnership's Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and the European Regional Development Fund, through Groundwork South Tees, have funded the £100,000 scheme.