DELAYS which plagued the opening of a skateboard park are over, after after a gift of equipment which had been standing idle.

Campaigners at Masham, near Ripon, had worked tirelessly to provide the base for the new venture, near the town centre.

But they faced a bill of between £6,000 and £10,000 to buy the equipment for youngsters to perform their acrobatics on skateboards.

Masham's Harrogate Borough Councillor, Nigel Simms, has now secured the gift of equipment from the borough council.

It had been unused for the past few years, and was initially used on the ill-fated Hydro skateboard area at New Park, in Harrogate.

Vandals scuppered the project, and the equipment has been unused since then.

Councillor Flo Grainger, vice-chairman of the parish council, said members are delighted that Coun Simms had been able to secure the equipment from Harrogate.

The Masham project is already being supported by Masham Parish Council with £4,500

Meanwhile, Harrogate is now investigating the possibility of operating a mobile skateboard venture which would tour the area.