USERS of an indoor BMX and skatepark in Bridport are spinning and jumping with delight after the venue successfully hosted its first major contest.

The professional competition brought with it a fee which has helped go some way to paying for a £1,300 revamp at the Trick Factory, on St Michael's trading estate.

Opened just over two years ago as a place for skate boarders and BMX riders to meet through the year the centre is run as a non-profit making organisation and staffed by volunteers.

Robert Ridge, the man behind the scheme, said he is delighted with how things are going.

He said: "I was quite apprehensive about the event as it was our first contest but I had friends who helped pull it all together and it went very well. On the success of this contest we are looking to do something else in future."

Last week's competition, sponsored by Braun, Snickers and Ride BMX Magazine among others, was the second leg of the Front Brake Revolution Jam. The event in Bridport was invitation-only but regular users at the skatepark had the chance to watch - with special crows nest seating erected in the roof girders. Renovations were carried out for the contest with new ramps added to test the competitors. TV crews attended to capture the action on film.

The skatepark is based on the first floor of a unit on the trading estate.

Mr Ridge said: "Winter is our busy time. In summer everybody wants to be outdoors, but in winter we are incredibly busy. We are the only facility in the area with a roof."

The skatepark can cope with up to 10 people in action at any one time but can accommodate up to 30 people in total. Users wait turns to have a go, which Mr Ridge said works well, and are asked to make a contribution to the running costs when they attend.

An enthusiastic trick rider himself Mr Ridge, at 33, admits he is older than most of the skaters and riders who use the indoor skatepark but he isn't about to stop just yet. He said: "It is a sport I have done for many years and never remotely considered I would still be doing at this age, but I grew up with it and developed from there. It is still good fun and apart from the odd injury I hope to carry on as long as I can."

The indoor skatepark opens from 7pm to 10pm Tuesday to Friday, and from 2pm to 10pm on Saturdays.