A NEW £120,000 indoor BMX and skatepark, the first of its kind in East Lancashire, has opened its doors.

Final preparations were completed last week at Junction 4 ahead of the grand opening at the weekend.

Local skaters and BMX riders can now test their skills at the park, which is based at the former Blackburn Rovers Sports Academy building near Darwen Vale High School.

Aimed at people aged eight and over, it aims to become a regional centre for the sports, attracting up to 50,000 visits a year.

It is run by a team of four who will keep the centre open seven days a week.

The opening day saw 30 people queueing outside the doors before they were allowed in on Saturday morning.

Manager Andy McKinnon, a skater himself, said: “It’s really exciting because there clearly is the demand for this centre out there.

“I couldn’t believe it when I was told that so many people were outside the door before we opened at 10am.