YOUNGSTERS are reaching new highs with the launch of the first skate park in Derwentside.

About 50 children gathered at the Kings Head Fields site, in Stanley, for the official launch.

The project was organised by the youngsters through Derwentside Young People's Forum. Set up through Derwentside District Council's innovative Spice project, the forum aims to give young people a stronger voice in local government.

Forum vice-chairman Lauren Wright, nine, of Dipton, near Stanley, said: "We are really pleased that it is finally here."

Teenagers desperate to try out the £30,000 facility, on the site of the former swimming baths in the High Street, had been scaling the security fence in the days running up to the event.

At the formal launch, BMXers and in-line skaters proved that the new equipment will be put to good use, as they pulled a serious of daring tricks during a wheeled sports competition.

Forum member Natalie English, 14, of Blackhill, Consett, said: "As well as skating, it is a place for us to hang around, meet our friends and not get into trouble for riding around the streets."

It follows more than a year of work by the youth forum to find suitable sites and money for the schemes.

The council gave the youngsters £10,000 last year to get started. But the youngsters struggled to get a National Lottery bid together in time for this year's deadline and were facing a long wait for further funding.

The council came to their rescue, with an extra £50,000 for the scheme.

Council leader Alex Watson said: "This is about helping our young citizens of the future.

"They made this decision themselves and had their own budget. This is a tremendous achievement for all their endeavours."

The park in Stanley will be followed by another at the Belle Vue leisure centre, in Consett. Work is already under way on the second site and it is expected to open in a matter of weeks.

Each park will cater for skateboarders, BMX bikers and in-line skaters, and will include a skatefriendly surface, ramps and security fencing.