Petersfield skate park in Love Lane is holding a Skate Jam on Saturday to celebrate its re-opening following a £200,000 modernisation programme.

The event comes after months of delays and setbacks blamed on this year’s extreme weather, as well as a series of setbacks with vandals breaking in and damaging the compound and newly-laid concrete.

The funds for the work were raised over many years by the former Petersfield-based charity Festival of Young People as well as a donation by Aspire Pharma of Rotherbrook Court in Bedford Road, when the charity’s fundraising efforts began to plateau.

The construction was managed by Petersfield Town Council and undertaken by Gravity Engineering Ltd, a company with ex-professional skateboarder Marc Churchill as the design director.

To ensure the extension is accessible to users regardless of age and ability, peer groups were consulted to help with the layout and architecture.

The park has had a soft re-opening before the official unveiling event, and it has already proved popular and attracted many visitors – with one large group of skateboarders travelling from Brighton to use its facilities.

In addition to the opportunity to use the new park, the event will include music, food and drink, merchandise... and freebies!

The Skate Jam will run from midday to 6pm with a visit from Petersfield town mayor Cllr Peter Clist scheduled for 4pm.

The event is open to everyone and free to attend.

Find out more at the website https://www.petersfield-tc.gov.uk/get-on-board-the-skate-jam/