A SWINDON MP responded to claims that he only showed up to an extreme sports event for publicity.

Diana Kirk of the ATB Shop has helped organise the Urban Rider Games for the last five years to raise awareness of the need to sustain and develop skate parks for young people in the town. She said: "Our campaigning does seem to fall on deaf ears. Justin Tomlinson MP came to the games a couple of years ago, shook some hands, took some photos, left and didn’t do anything about the skate park issue."

Mr Tomlinson told the Adver: "Diane is being a little unfair. When I was a councillor, I was the one who secured the original skate park and, following my visit to her impressive facility, I encouraged bot the operators of the Oasis and Swindon Borough Council to engage with her to explore future provision.

"I have always championed leisure opportunities in our community for people of all ages."