HIGH-FLYING skaters, scooterists and BMX riders got airborne at the Urban Rider Games in Swindon.

Around 500 contestants and their supporters rocked up at ATBShop skate warehouse indoor park yesterday for the contest, which attracts people from all over the country.

The youngest rider at the games was just five while the oldest skaters were in their 40s.

Alex Clinning, from Liden was pleased to win second place in the under-10s scooters.

His delighted dad Tom said: “He is autistic and doing this kind of thing is really good for his confidence.”

He said the youngster had fallen during his show but all his friends had been shouting for him.

Alex got into the sport after seeing a scooter video.

Tom added: “We found this place on the internet and the first time I brought him here I was worried about bringing him back because there were all these older boys zooming around all over the place.

"But with some intensive lessons he was away and hasn’t looked back since."

Another spectator, Dan Frost, had come to support a fellow skater.

He said: “There’s a great atmosphere here. Everyone’s friendly and people all encourage each other. It’s a nice community.”

He added: “You see it at a lot of skate parks.

"Older kids will happily help the little ones and teach them how to be safe."

One of the aims of the event was to highlight the nearby outdoor skate park close to the Oasis leisure centre which the skaters want to see developed and improved.

Champion mountainboarder Matt Brind, from action sports entertainment group Nitro Circus, was one of the judges along with pro rider Ben Wilkins.

“We have seen some incredible riding today,” said Di Kirk, one of the organisers.

"The number of juniors who had entered classes was phenomenal and the standard of skill on show had been very high."

Some people had come all the way from Leeds to take part in the contest, others from Wales.

But there also were many members of the Swindon skating community at the park.

“We want to show people that it is not just really good riders,' said Di.

"A lot of these guys have started at junior skate parks that are free. It’s important that there is free outdoor space for them to use.”

First to compete were young scooterists and BMX riders while the skaters, including professionals there to give the audience and extra treat, took to the ramps later in the day.