AFTER eight months in the making, a new skatepark is set to open in Darwen on Saturday.

The Rhythm Skatepark was the brainchild of Darwen man Michael Ledder who realised there were no other facilities in the area.

The 9,000sq ft park, based in a former gym in Percival Street, cost £40,000 to build and can be used by skateboarders, in-line skaters and BMX bikers.

The park has eight plywood ramps and street courses for skaters to 'grind' along rails. There is also a cafe and 'rest' room for parents.

Michael, 50, of Matlock Street said: "My lad who is 19 and my grandson who is 17 both enjoy these sports but there was really nowhere around the area they could go to do them -- the nearest skateparks are in Preston and Bolton. So I said I would build one. It's kind of a joke that backfired! It just sort of took itself over and just happened really.

"I knew there was a lot of interest but the amount of queries we got about it was phenomenal. I certainly wasn't expecting the response we got."

Michael, who is a works manager in the fabrications industry, has concentrated on the skatepark in his spare time together with his business partner Terry Sentance.

The park has been designed by BMX professional Lee Mellor and Dave Partridge, a semi- professional skateboarder, both from the Haslingden area.

Michael said: "It has to flow together from ramp to ramp. It is designed as a street course and will give people using it the feel that they are on the street.

"The area will be fully supervised with staff trained in first aid and we are fully covered in health and safety."

The skatepark will be open from noon to 9pm every day with children not being allowed in until after 4pm in term time.

There is a strict no drugs and no smoking policy throughout the building.

Michael dismissed claims that the park will attract troublemakers: "At the moment the kids have to ride their bikes in supermarket car parks. This park will only help by giving them somewhere else."