SKATERS are being hailed as community heroes by police after giving their old skatepark a facelift while they wait for a new one to open in Dorchester.

Carpenter Rowan Ward and three friends have renovated equipment and built new jumps for youngsters to give the town centre facility a new lease of life.

And police community support officer Rhyan Toms has paid tribute to the efforts that are making the Charles Street skatepark a safe and popular place for young people to gather.

PCSO Toms said: "We're really impressed with what they've done. They just got on and did it.

"We often call in there and I'm always pleased to see how well organised it is.

"The equipment there was getting very tired and they've done a brilliant job to make it good.

"A lot of young people use that skatepark and it's going to be quite a while before the new one is open.

"It's great that they've just got on and really improved it."

She added: "They desperately need the new skatepark. This one is so well used. It means youngsters are not having to skate in the streets and they get fresh air and exercise and can meet up and socialise."

Rowan Ward, 19, said: "I am a BMX-er and I could see these ramps were getting bad, especially for anyone using small wheels like the skateboards.

"I'm a carpenter and I thought I could repair them." He has also built new equipment and repositioned the refurbished pieces to make the most of the site.

It now has a new quarter pipe to join two existing ones and a wall ride and grind box.

Rowan said: "I've been using that skatepark for about three years.

"We're just dying for the new one, but it won't happen yet and doing this means it gives this one a new lease of life.

"It's certainly needed - there were 57 people in that skatepark on Saturday."

Rowan and three fellow skaters - Luke Toomer, Matt Jordan and Scott Grieve - worked together on the project using money available from a fundraising event last year.

All four carried the equipment from Rowan's Fordington home to install it at the skatepark.

PCSO Toms said: "It's brilliant that the older ones have done this.

"They're always willing to help younger children there as well and getting the safety message across."

Planning permission has been granted for a skatepark on a triangular piece of land in Weymouth Avenue opposite the police station.