YOUNG skateboarders scooted along to the launch of a £70,000 extension at a skate park in Didcot.

The 10-year-old facility in Ladygrove Park, next to Didcot Town FC’s stadium, was revamped five years ago.

But now, following consultation with local skaters, an extension is being built.

Town mayor Phil Hayward started digging the foundations on Wednesday and the work will be completed over the next month.

Once the extension is completed, there will be new bowled corners, quarter pipes, flat banks and T-blocks.

A grant of £38,000 came from by Wren (Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd), while South Oxfordshire District Council paid £27,000 and the town council £5,000.

Grant Ollenbuttel, 14, from Brightwell-cum-Sotwell near Wallingford, a pupil at St Birinus School in Didcot, took his scooter to the launch.

He said: “I have been coming here for about five or six months now and I think it’s going to be brilliant when it’s finished.

“The new stuff will bring more kids down here and they will come from villages around Didcot as well as from the town.”

The skate park is built on town council land, and town council operations manager Brenda Andrews said: “The young people got very involved in the design work through their schools, and skaters and those using BMX bikes and scooters will be able to use it.

“There will be lots more variety when the extension is completed and a chance for skaters to learn lots of new tricks.

“The £5,000 provided by the town council will also cover the cost of new bins and new seating.”

Town council leader Margaret Davies added that the skate park was well used by young people from across the town.

She added: “The energy and acrobatic skills of the young people are incredible to see and we thank them for taking part in the design work.”

Bill Service, cabinet member for grants at the district council, added: “This project has been kickstarted by the skate park users themselves.

“The extension will bring the facilities right up to date and youngsters from across town and the surrounding villages will come to use it.”

In March, the district council launched the £395,000 Ladygrove Loop environment project.

The four-kilometre route around the estate provides a green walking and cycling route through the south and centre of the area.

New facilities include two exercise stations.