ALCESTER's new £80,000 skate park is now open for business - with an official opening set to take place later this month.

Teenagers and young people who ride skateboards, BMX bikes, scooters and roller blades now have a place to show off their skills, at the completed skatepark on Jubilee Fields.

The long-awaited facility was repetitively targeted vandals before its opening, when Alcester Town Council took over ownership, on Tuesday, June 7.

A spokesman from Alcester Town Council said: "It has been disheartening to see the mindless vandalism of the site before it was even completed.

"Alcester Town Council understand that graffiti can be a problem during these initial months as locals leave their mark on the new attraction.

"However, Alcester Town Council would like to establish a zero-tolerance policy towards graffiti of an offensive or slanderous nature.

"Those caught may face prosecution for the criminal damage they have caused. Alcester has many skilled artists; we shouldn’t let the mindless actions of the unskilled minority undermine the creative ability of others."

Town councillors said they now hope regular skatepark users will become the stewards of the facility, alerting the town council or police of any vandalism.

Anyone with information can contact the police on 101 or Alcester Town Council on 01789 766084.