VOLUNTEERS behind a community led project to bring a second skatepark to Portishead are organising the first ever competition for skaters in the town. The Portishead Skatepark Project is hosting the Sk8comp event - which is open to BMX riders, skateboarde

VOLUNTEERS behind a community led project to bring a second skatepark to Portishead are organising the first ever competition for skaters in the town.The Portishead Skatepark Project is hosting the Sk8comp event - which is open to BMX riders, skateboarders and bladders - at Gordano School on Sunday between 12noon-5pm.The drive to install a second facility in Portishead was launched two years ago, with a poll of residents putting the Lake Grounds forward as the preferred site.The committee had also tried to gain permission to open a skate park next to the youth club at Harbour Road, but this was thrown out.It is now looking again at a piece of land behind the boathouse at the Lake Grounds, a site near the Windmill pub and some land at Bristol Road.Portishead town councillor Liese Stanley, who is also a member of the skatepark project, said: "The popularity of these sports continues to thrive with skateboarding becoming an Olympic sport in 2008."Portishead Skatepark Project was set up with the mission to find a suitable location, raise funding and build a more challenging skatepark for current and future users of all ages."We are constantly bombarded with negative stories about the youth in Portishead."Here we have a fantastic group of people from the ages of six to adult who wish to pursue a creative, challenging outdoor sport."The competition will be a chance to showcase their talent in a safe environment, currently something they don't have."I would urge any residents in Portishead who want to discover what these sports are truly about to come along to the Sk8comp."Nailsea already holds a successful skating competition in the town each year which is organised jointly between Christian Surfers, local churches and the town council.Each year entrants come from across the district to take part while hundreds of people turn out to watch.To take part in the Portishead Sk8comp visit www.portisheadsk8.org.uk or ring 01275 842300.Under 18s need parents to sign consent forms before the event and places may be limited.