A SKATE park aimed at steering youngsters away from the dangers of drugs has been opened in the grounds of Clitheroe Castle.

The £30,000 park is the brainchild of the Activate Project at the Trinity Youth and Community Centre, Clitheroe.

Activate has been behind several ground-breaking initiatives aimed at keeping youngsters off drugs, including the "peer educator" scheme that won the praise of drug tsar Keith Hellawell.

The skate park project has received extensive backing from the Ribble Valley community, including cash from the Ribble Valley and Clitheroe Councils and the Lancaster Foundation.

It is hoped the facility will provide a boredom-beating alternative for local youngsters who may otherwise be tempted by illegal substances.

A team of 30 youngsters aged 10 to 18 from the Activate project have spent 18 months designing the skate park and raising cash for it.

Project co-ordinator Steve Procter said there was a "real buzz" among local youngsters about the facility.

"The park has been designed and organised by young people and is a good example of the potential for partnership between local authorities, charitable trusts and voluntary organisations.

"This kind of partnership is needed if we are to make an impact on the lives of young people as far as substance misuse and crime and disorder are concerned. The park will be available for use by all local young people," he said.

The opening ceremony was attended by Ribble Valley mayor Brian Collis, Clitheroe mayor Alan Yearing, Lancashire Constabulary youth liaison officer Gail Whiteoak and several youth and community leaders.

A sound system was provided by Clitheroe licensee Phil Knight and refreshments were served.

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