YOUNGSTERS can enjoy the summer months on four wheels after the Leigh Marshes skatepark was officially opened.

But it may be a few more weeks before complaints over litter are finally put to rest, when rubbish bins are installed.

The new £150,000 skatepark has been blighted by rubbish after youngsters began using it before its official opening, leaving any litter they dropped to pile up.

Leigh Town Council has been so keen to keep the skatepark looking spick and span it has employed a cleaner five days a week to curb the litter problem. Bins are currently on order, but will not arrive for a few more weeks.

Hilary Davison, chairman of Leigh Town Council, said: “We are having regular pick-ups five days a week and the bins are coming.”

The site will cost Leigh Town Council £2,000 a year to maintain.

It was opened officially yesterday by David Amess, MP for Southend West, Southend Mayor Gwen Horrigan, and Carmel Napier, assistant chief constable for Essex Police.

Insp Dave Colwell, of Leigh police, said: “We have been very supportive all the way through, advising the local council on architecture and location, and I have been really really pleased about the success of the facility and how it has been managed.”

Mr Colwell said it would also benefit local residents as instead of “hanging around on street corners” teenagers would be in the skatepark enjoying themselves.

Jamie Wilson, of Switch skate store, off Leigh Broadway, gave his support to the project, but said there needed to be more floodlights in the winter.

He added: “I will be down here everyday and if anyone needs any help or has any questions I'd be happy to help.”

Mr Wilson is now in talks with the council to start a skate school on the site, which will run every Saturday and is registered with the National Skateboarding Association.