A WORLD champion skater has helped launch a new £5.7m indoor adventure centre.

Inline skating champion Jenna Downing attended the Summit Indoor Adventure centre in Selby on Saturday to help officially launch the skate and BMX park, alongside Selby District Council leader Mark Crane and chairman Cllr Stephanie Duckett .

Jenna said the Scott Road facilities were exactly what children needed not only to get into inline skating, but to take on healthy hobbies in their own town.

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The world champion said: "I got into my sport at just seven years old by finding a facility ten minutes down the road from where I live, much like the Summit.

"It's so important for children to get involved in sport and phys act and that doesn't have to be mainstream sports like football or athletics. Inline skating, scooter riding, BMXing skateboarding are all fantastic sports to improve the health and wellbeing of children and certainly given me life skills I've equipped through other areas in my life."

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Jenna's team Wheels Extreme held coaching sessions at the centre, which also includes children's play areas, an aerial trek, adventure climbing, ten pin bowling and indoor skiing and snowboarding, and opens to the public next Saturday (May 28).

Zahid Mahmood brought his 11-month-old son Zakaria to the centre from Bradford, and said: "It offers a lot, the facility here will appeal to a lot of people, and it's turned out really well. It's very eye-catching and offers a lot alongside the existing leisure centre."

Cllr Mark Crane, leader of Selby District Council, said he was impressed with the facilities, and believed they would prove a strong draw for the town.

He said: "I've seen the facilities for the first time today and I really do think they are top notch.

"It's an exciting time for Selby. We're obviously hoping not only for Selby residents but people from around the district to come and make use of the Summit, and hoping they will also spend time and money in the town."