AN £80,000 skating facility will be unveiled at a former railway town this week.

Youngsters living in Shildon, County Durham, have been begging councillors for their own skate park for months.

Now their dream has become a reality with the final equipment being placed and unveiled on Friday.

The town's Hackworth Park, which is at the centre of a major refurbishment, is the venue for the new facility which has been named High 5 by its potential users.

The scheme has been made possible with a grant from Sport England and funding from Shildon Town Council.

Dignitaries from the council and from Sport England will be present at an 11am ceremony to officially open the park.

Youngsters are invited to come along, with their skates or BMX bikes, and demonstrate their skills. Prizes will be awarded to star performers.

To show off the new equipment, Tribe Enterprises Ltd has also been invited to provide demonstrations and musical entertainment.

A spokesperson from Shildon Town Council encouraged locals to attend the launch.

She said: "Everyone is welcome to come along on the day to see and use the new facility.''