SCORES of top BMX riders and skateboarders are expected to gather in Ringwood next week as the town hosts its second skate festival.

The event was first staged in September last year as a tribute to tragic town teenager Andy Marsh, who died of meningitis the previous May at the age of just 17.

Andy was a keen BMX enthusiast and musician, and his parents Colin and Glynis teamed up with Ringwood Town Council to establish the festival as a fitting fund-raising memorial.

The debut festival proved a smash hit, attracting hundreds of skate fans and generating £2,500 towards the Meningitis Trust and new skateboard equipment for local youngsters, and the wheels will be rolling once again on Saturday, September 6.

Organised by local groups WDA and Concrete Jungle, the fun takes place at the Ringwood Skatepark at Carvers Field from 10am-6pm, admission free.

It will feature competitions demanding the best acrobatic stunts from BMX, In-line and skateboard entrants from around Dorset and Hampshire, with a host of prizes up for grabs donated by local businesses such as Just Add Water, The Skateshop and Set-Up Boardshop.

As well as the derring-do, there will also be a stage offering non-stop live music from UK ska, punk and metal bands, plus a hip-hop stage featuring the likes of acclaimed DJ X-Rated, and a host of stalls selling clothes, accessories and refreshments.