SKATERS from around the country are rolling in to Swindon tomorrow for the Urban Rider Games.

Around 500 are expected at the indoor park in the ATBShop Skate warehouse ready to kick flip, hurricane, nuclear grab and fakie their way to a share of the £4,000-worth of prizes that are up for grabs.

One of the organisers, Di Kirk at ATBShop, said the idea of the event was to raise awareness of the importance of extreme sports bases, including the old public skate park nearby and the desire to develop it as a facility for fans of the sport.

She explained the cycle speedway and BMX track were being moved to Moredon, but the long-term future of the skate park next to the Oasis leisure centre was unsure. Developers Seven Capital are building a snow and ski centre at the North Star site in the first phase and also have plans for a hotel, cinema and bowling alley.

“We’re really behind the phase one,” she said. But there was concern about the dilapidated skate park. “It is a great location and it is within walking distance of the town centre.”

Store owners in the centre had complained about skaters in their area, but if it was revamped the park would be an attraction. “If we had a good skate park by the Oasis then people could come in from Bath and Bristol.”

It would act as a draw for the town centre, especially when parents brought in their youngsters to make use of it.

A spokeswoman for Seven Capital told the Advertiser that part of the site was still in the planning stages.

Friday’s event will see competitors of all ages taking part in the classes while top professional riders demonstrate their skills between competitions.

There is an under 8s junior beginner class and a girl’s only scooter contest, as well as BMX classes, novice skaters and an open competition.

“We’re really excited,” said Di. “It is getting bigger and bigger each year.” Some prizes are worth hundreds of pounds and some have been sent by overseas suppliers.

Among the volunteers helping to stage the day are people who have been homeless in the past. The games actually started after a group of young men were discovered sleeping rough at the skate park.

Skaters helped to get them into accommodation and in return they wanted to raise awareness of the value of the town’s skate facilities.Visit atbshop.co.uk/skatepark/urban-rider-games-2018/ for more details.