WORK has started to construct a skatepark in Lyme Regis - with the attraction hopefully opening by next Easter.

Contractors are already on site at the Charmouth Road car park to start preliminary work on the £150,000 skatepark.

Last week, Lyme Regis Town Council unanimously agreed to sign a 20-year lease for the site, as the land is owned by West Dorset District Council.

Members also agreed to the contract with skatepark construction experts Wheelscape, who have designed the attraction for the north east corner of the car park.

The lease was signed and sealed last week by Deputy Mayor, Cllr Michaela Ellis, Cllr Cheryl Reynolds, and town clerk, John Wright - followed on Monday by the signing and sealing by the district council.

The Mayor, Cllr Owen Lovell said: “I’m delighted the skatepark project is moving forwards at last.

“Residents have waited years and years for this – hopefully this council will finally deliver for them.”

The contractors were keen to get started on the project and it is hoped the skatepark will be open in time for Easter.

Wheelscape’s operations manager Duncan Holley said: “We are excited to be working on this skatepark in Lyme Regis and looking forward to seeing it completed, to be enjoyed by local youngsters.”

Cllr Reynolds, who is also secretary and events’ organiser of the Skatepark Fundraising Organisation, said: “I’m absolutely elated work has begun on this long-awaited project.

“The councillors voted unanimously to sign the paperwork – everyone just wanted it to happen and they were pleased it was finally sorted. There was even a spontaneous round of applause once it was all agreed.

“I’m pleased to see Wheelscape are on site and getting on with the work.

“Plans are already being made for an opening event when we hope to get some big names here.”

Young people in Lyme Regis and the surrounding area have been closely involved with the designing of the skatepark and helping to raise funds for the project.

Zach Wilton, 15, has welcomed news that work has started on the project.

He said: “After being told the skatepark was to go ahead my thoughts were that now, both the younger and older generations were benefitting.

“The youth of Lyme Regis have a new ambition and the older generation would have less noise on the street. The youth finally have something new to be proud of and show off.”

Planning permission for the skatepark was given in March this year and the town council agreed in June to pay an annual rent of £2,000 in exchange for the land in the car park.

Deputy town clerk, Mark Green, said: “We would like to thank West Dorset District Council for their help and co-operation in leasing the land to enable this wonderful local facility to go ahead.”