BRITISH cycle team stars were on hand to help the residents of Cookley celebrate the opening of phase one of the "Space for All" project.

Champions, Emma Coles and Andy Maddock, entertained spectators with a display of their skills at the event on Saturday.

New facilities built include a play area, skateboard park, BMX track, community seating and hangout shelter.

Villagers enjoyed music and food at the free event, with the more competitive residents taking to the saddle and testing the new track by taking part in races.

The work, which cost £178,000, was funded by the Big Lottery Fund through the Countryside Agency, Living Spaces and the "Welcome to our Future" initiative from the Severn Waste Environmental Fund.

Cookley Local Agenda 21 spokesperson, Elisabeth McDonnell, had worked alongside local residents since 1999 to make the plans a reality.

She said: "The project was beset by delays and frustrations for a period of two years or so but the day the first sod of earth was turned made it all worthwhile. They said it would never happen but we kept going and we're delighted that, at last, our young people have somewhere to go."

Funding is now being sought for phase two of the project, which "has the potential to be even more exciting" according to Dr McDonnell.

Plans are already being discussed by residents for walkways and a canalside terrace to be built.