A TOP skateboarding star has been lined up for the grand opening of Melksham's new skatepark.

Danny Wainright, 28, is the world record holder for the highest ollie, a jump that is the basis of virtually all skateboarding tricks, and has won the international King of Street competition for the past two years.

Mr Wainright, who is part owner of the skateboarding shop 50/50, in Bristol, also appeared in the recent fillers used by the BBC between programmes.

Yvonne Ashe, one of the campaigners behind the new park, said: "All the kids know who Danny Wainright is. He is in all the magazines and on the TV.

"He and everyone from 50/50 have been very interested and supportive especially because it is a community project."

Work started on the £140,000 skatepark at the King George V playing field last month and it is hoped it will be ready for use in early April.

The money for the project has been raised through the efforts of Mrs Ashe and Janice Viveash, with the help of young skateboarders.

Many people have donated their time free of charge to begin the groundwork on the site and Alfred McAlpine Civil Engineering, the company working on the Semington bypass, is providing labour and some of the materials.

The opening is set to be a big party, with display teams and bands lined up to provide entertainment.