A NEW skate park could bring welcome relief for shoppers tired of dodging skateboarders in Burnley town centre.

Pedestrians in the town's shopping area have for years complainted that they have to dodge skateboarders using the bandstand in St James's Street.

But construction work has started on a skate park alongside four new tennis courts in Queen's Park.

The park will be equipped with skating facilities including a half-pipe, two runs, a quarter-pipe with grind rails and boxes for beginners.

Work is expected to be completed in September, when CCTV cameras should be installed at the site.

Rita Walsh, secretary of the Burnley Chamber of Trade, welcomed the news. She said: "We hope the new skate park will deter people from using the bandstand.

"We hope the youngsters who use the town centre will enjoy the new facilities."

The Queen's Park site was chosen after 250 young skaters in the town were consulted and has been developed at a cost of £235,000 from Burnley Council, SRB regeneration cash and the European Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

Councillor Barry Gutteridge, the council's executive member for leisure, said: "Queen's Park was chosen as the most suitable location following an extensive investigation of alternative sites and I am delighted that the new skate park will soon be completed."

The council recently spent around £7,000 on measues, including ribbed paving and railings, to deter skaters from using the bandstand in the town centre.