A £140,000 skateboarding park and multi-sports facility opened in Rubery's St Chad's Park back in the summer after officers at Bromsgrove District Council had worked closely with youngsters from the area, local police and the County Youth Service on the project, which has been funded by a government Liveability grant.

The park was opened by Sergeant Mark Wilkes, from Rubery police station, who had supported the scheme throughout its development.

Council chiefs held meetings with local youngsters and specialist skate park designers, Gravity Engineering, at Rubery Youth Centre to discuss the design of the facility.

Councillor Peter McDonald (Lab-Waseley), who campaigned for the skate park for three years, was delighted with its completion.

"This is the fruition of three years work between myself, Councillor Colin Wilson, the police and local headteachers and it's the first major investment in Rubery for ten years," he said.