CELEBRATIONS marking the opening of a new North Yorkshire skatepark were marred when a teenage user was hurt in an accident.

The boy, who has not been named, was injured shortly after the opening of the new Malton and Norton skatepark.

The accident has prompted safety warnings, as those who helped set up the park look forward to a successful future.

The park, on the old Northern Electric site in Norton Road, Norton, opened on Sunday after months of campaigning by Ryedale leaders and the Evening Press, which supported the project by launching its Get On Board campaign.

Malton police constable Stewart Ashton, who spearheaded the campaign, said the accident was not serious, but warned youngsters using the park to take care at all times.

"There are going to be accidents because of the nature of the sport," he said.

"If I was running a football or a boxing club for young people I could expect injuries."

He said the accident happened while the teenager was using the half-pipe ramp.

"The lad involved was the first to actually make it to the top of the ramp, which gave him a lot street credibility," said Mr Ashton.

"When he came back down, though, he wiped out and hit his face on the ramp."

He said notices were visible at the park urging users to take proper care.

"They should wear all the proper safety padding at all times," he said.

The park opened ahead of schedule, after town leaders decided that, once ready, it should not stand idle.

Another ramp has yet to be added, and some of the ramp positions will change in the near future.

Most of the funding for the project came from the Single European Budget but local businesses, including Boarding Edge, in Yorkersgate, have contributed.

Once word got round that the park had opened, more than 100 youngsters from Ryedale, York and Scarborough gathered to have a go.

Mr Ashton said: "I am really grateful for the support the Evening Press has given.

"Equally, the assistance from local businesses and councillors has been tremendous."

Gary Tansey, from Norton, said: "It was absolutely packed on Sunday, you couldn't move.

"It's a brilliant park, there's nothing like it anywhere. There is one in York, but it's not as good as this one."

- The Evening Press' commitment to the skatepark continues, even after the opening. This weekend, reporters Liz Todd and Simon Horsborough are set to raise money for the park with a sponsored "muck-out" at Flamingo Land Zoo.

Updated: 11:15 Tuesday, May 21, 2002