SKATEBOARDERS can be seen as a nuisance around housing estates but one pensioner decided rather than simply complaining about the issue, he would do something about it.

Brian Eatock, 71, saw three years of hard work pay off this week with the official opening of Corsham Skate Park, a project he got involved with after getting fed up of skateboarders on roads around his home in Beechfield Park.

He said: "A lot of residents found them a nuisance and so, to be honest did I. I phoned the council and they said there was a project so I went along to a meeting and ended up being asked to be chairman.

"The more I got to know the skateboarders the more I realised they are nice kids. They didn't want to make a nuisance of themselves, they just didn't have anywhere to go and they needed a proper facility."

Three years on, and five years after the project was launched, the £100,000 skate-park was opened at Springfield Recreation Ground on Tuesday.

Skateboarders and members of the action group wanted Mr Eatock to open the park and the occasion was celebrated with speeches from local dignitaries and a display from a skateboarding team from Bath shop, Detour and Darkotics.

Corsham Area Community Partnership's youth group sought professional advice on the materials to be used and worked hard to get the funding needed.

Youngsters raised nearly £3,000 themselves and the project won £48,000 funding from North Wiltshire District Council. Other groups awarded grants, including the town council, Community Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon, The Martingate Centre and Wiltshire County Council's youth development service.

The town council donated the land for the park, which has five concrete ramps, seats, bins and a 14m noise-restricting barrier.