A CONTROVERSIAL skate park once branded "too noisy" by neighbours celebrates a successful first year this weekend, with police giving it a glowing endorsement.

RampAge in Orchard Street, Worcester, has attracted more than 2,500 skateboarders in the last 12 months and has been praised for attributing to lower levels of nuisance crime in the area.

Back in July, Chief Insp Sharon Gibbons backed the park in its drive for permanent planning permission.

"At the time the skate park opened we saw a significant decrease in calls relating to youngsters using their skateboards in St Peter's, Dines Green and St John's," she told Worcester City Council.

"We strongly support facilities of this kind as it gives people somewhere to hone their skills without negatively impacting on local communities."

But despite such praise, the ride for park owners Chris and Gabrielle Buckland has been a rough one.

The couple set up the park on October 6 last year after their son Chris took an interest in roller skating. They sold their printing business and invested all their money into the venture, despite opposition from some local residents and efforts by environmental health to close them down.

"We had complaints from some neighbours about the level of noise from the park, with the sound of wheels on ramps," said Mrs Buckland.

"But since then we have spent thousands of pounds on soundproofing and everyone seems happy.

"When we opened it was only on a temporary basis and our future looked uncertain when we were turned down once for permanent planning permission.

"It is because we weren't sure we would see this milestone, that we are celebrating it so much.

"We are extremely popular with the youngsters of Worcester and people's fears have proven unfounded.

"I think neighbours were worried that the young people using the facility would drop litter or be a nuisance - things associated with children their age.

"But they couldn't be better behaved. In fact we have had praise from the police who say they have seen a significant reduction in incidents of nuisance in Worcester."

To celebrate the anniversary, the park is holding a special competition day this Saturday, October 4.

There will be contest for all age groups and plenty of prizes.

"This is a big achievement for us, and so let us make it a day to remember," added Mrs Buckland.