CHRISTMAS came early for the town’s young skate board and BMX enthusiasts.

Former town mayor and president of Alton Rotary Club Pam Bradford met members of the Alton Town Council’s open spaces committee to hand over a cheque for £1,550 to cover the cost of enhancements to the skatepark.

The well-used facility at Anstey Park is being given a revamp by the town council, to enhance safety improvements already carried out by skate park contractors Maverick.

On Saturday, open spaces committee chairman Graham Hill, together with vice-chairman Pam Jones, accompanied by a number of Rotarians, visited the ramps at Anstey Park to view the improvements and watch a group of young people demonstrate their scooter and skating skills.

The donated money came from funds held over from the former Alton and District Youth Council and a small amount which was left over from the funds to build the original skatepark at Jubilee Playing fields.

The balance needed to complete the work was given by the Rotary Club.

Commenting on the generous bequest, Mr Hill said: “We are very grateful to Pam and her colleagues at the Rotary Club for volunteering to fund these improvements. The skatepark at Anstey is very popular and users of all ages will benefit.”

Ms Bradford said: “The morning was sunny and a number of young people turned up to show us how the skate park is used. Thank you to the parents for getting them there so early and thanks to the town council, which will oversee this work to keep this skate park useable for our young people.”

Ae well as improving the skatepark, Alton Town Council wants feedback from young riders and skaters on the proposals for the replacement skatepark at Jubilee Fields, which it is hoped will be built ready for next summer.

Following the formation, earlier this year, of Action Sport Alton – comprising residents, skatepark users, school pupils and representatives from the town council and Hampshire Playing Fields Association to look at the options – a budget of £150,000 was set.

The town council appointed Maverick Industries to supply and install the skatepark.

The funding will comprise £100,000 of developers’ contributions, plus a further £25,000 secured as part of the new development at the sports centre, next to the skatepark.

Action Sport Alton has been tasked with securing the remainder of the funding through grant applications, and £1,000 has already been secured from Hampshire Playing Fields Association, with further applications in the pot.