The boarders, skaters and BMXers of Bridport were out in full force at the official opening ceremony of the town's new skatepark.

Former British Champion Neil Danns came with his demonstration group, Team Extreme, who performed an array of breath-taking manoeuvres for the crowd of excited riders and onlookers.

Then hundreds of youngsters from Bridport got stuck in and zipped up and down the slopes of the new park to the tune of Dorchester-based progressive funk band Juice and the new-jazz sounds of Bridport DJ Chris Baker, 23.

The park was opened by Sport England representative Chris Scally, who remarked how impressive Bridport's application for a grant had been, because the demand for the park had come from the youngsters themselves.

BMXer Bonnie Gladwin, 15, from Charmouth, said: "I think it's great. I love doing this because you get to meet so many different people. Even if you don't know someone, you can talk about bikes or moves."

In his speech, Mayor David Tett said: "The town council encourages and supports the youth of Bridport. This is a prime example of the council acting in a positive way. I hope that you will look after it and use it like responsible people."