Ref. 28347-39SKATERS are demonstrating their boarding skills at Swindon's former Railway Museum this week.

The Swindon Comm-unity Sk8 Park project is hoping the four-day open event will demonstrate the need for an indoor skate arena.

Besides showing off their stunts, the skaters have put up displays of graffiti art and photographs, and there will also be bands, break-dancing and BMX displays.

The event, which opened yesterday, will culminate with a skate competition called Off The Rails on Saturday.

Organiser Eric Smith is inviting businesses to the former museum in Faringdon Road to find out more about skate culture.

The skaters need to get local companies on board if they are to raise the £250,000 needed for an indoor arena.

Mr Smith said: "We are really pleased with the displays, and the ramps are superb.

"We have got people from many of the large firms like Zurich and Intel coming, and have sold more than 100 tickets for the competition."

Entry for today and tomorrow is free, but a £7 fee is being charged on Saturday.

Tickets are available from Tower 12 in Victoria Road and Loco in the Brunel Centre.

There is also a £5 registration fee for the skate competition, which is payable on the day.

The opening times are:

Thursday 9am to 7pm.

Friday 9am to 5pm. lSaturday 10am to 10pm.

Tamash Lal