CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating the completion of a new skateboard park built following the success of a £250,000 fundraising campaign.

The skateboarding area at Bartley Park in Totton has been transformed by the project, which has replaced out-dated equipment that included fibreglass surfaces and ramps that wobbled.

The new concrete structure includes curved “bowl” areas and extra features that resemble those found in the urban environment, such as kerbstones.

It replaces the previous equipment that was installed in the late 1990s and was in urgent need of repair.

Funding for the new skatepark came from Totton & Eling Town Council, which gave the project £150,000, and the Veolia Environmental Trust, which awarded it a grant of £100,000 through the Landfill Communities Fund.

Plans to create the showpiece facility were drawn up by skateboarders and their supporters.

Johnny and Jenny Harrison of Bartley Park Community Group (BPCG) said: “We have worked extremely hard to create an amazing free skatepark for everyone to use and are extremely pleased with what has been created.”

Cllr Arthur Davis, vice-chairman of the town council, performed the opening ceremony.

He said: “It’s a fantastic facility that’s far superior to the old one. When Jenny and some of the skateboarders came to the council chamber we were very impressed and wanted to back them from the start.”

Paul Taylor, executive director of the Veolia Environmental Trust, added: “It is always great to hear about the opening of a project we have supported.

“Skateparks provide young people with a place where they can meet up and have fun outside and I hope this one is used and enjoyed for years to come.”

Plans transform the previous facility were revealed at the end of 2014.

Speaking at the time a BPCG spokesman said: “We want to bring back the wow factor the park had when it opened at the start of the millennium by giving it a much-needed and long overdue makeover.”

Mr Harrison added: “We want to turn it into a magical area the whole community can be proud of.

“The skateboard park is old and out-dated, with fibreglass surfaces and ramps that wobble. It’s capable of being turned into an amazing facility.”