FANS of skateboarding and snowboarding now have a new centre of expertise on their doorstep.

Tower 12, a specialist store for skate and snowboarders, has opened at 96 Victoria Road, Old Town.

It sells snowboards and accessories, skateboards and surfware.

Owners Lucy Mason and Craig Smith were exhausted but delighted on their opening day.

Lucy said: "It has all been quite a rush but we have got it done. We were up until four in the morning getting things sorted.

"It is quite a different thing owning your own business from working for someone else!"

Lucy was keen to point out the level of expertise the staff can offer the budding skater. "Ed Russell and Mat Holley are expert skateboarders and we also have Craig who looks after the snowboarding side."

Both Lucy and Craig used to work for Burmah Castrol in Swindon, but when decided to open their own business together.

Tower 12 is open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday.