A FORMER Knox Academy pupil who came up with the idea of a skate park for Haddington opened the town’s long-awaited facility on Friday evening.

Gavin McManus, who wrote to Haddington and District Community Council six years ago asking for a skate park, was on hand to open the new facility.

The 21-year-old said seeing his dream become reality was “absolutely brilliant”. He told the Courier: “It is unbelievable – it’s been such a good day.

“There’s a great thanks due to East Lothian Council and the community council. It’s been six years in the making but it’s great to see it finally finished and opened.”

The Burnside resident admitted the idea, which started as “a bit of a pipe dream”, grew as the years passed. He said: “It started off as something I could have used for myself, but then it grew arms and legs. It became something for the whole community to enjoy.”

Gavin was joined at the opening by East Lothian Provost Ludovic Broun-Lindsay, who said: “It has been a long time coming and I am absolutely delighted.

“This park is a shining example of what this community is all about.

“I’d like to pay tribute to Gavin for making the initial contact with the community council.

“He was instrumental in getting this idea through.

“It really is something for the community to be proud of.”

A number of organisations, including the local authority, community council, the Community Development Trust and Haddington and Lammermuir Area Partnership, have contributed funds to the project.

The appeal for funds was completed with a grant of £50,000 from Viridor Credits.

Stuart Gibb, the area manager, has worked with the project over the last year, and was thrilled it was finally completed.

“I am so pleased and the turnout has been superb," he said.

“The whole community was behind the idea right from the start and I’ve never seen anything so well supported.

“It will be of benefit to the whole of Haddington.”

There were demonstrations as crowds gathered on Friday, while youngsters flooded on after the official opening.

Jan Wilson, community council chairwoman, was thrilled to see the facility being used, and added: “To see the youngsters, and so many of them, using the skate park, is the icing on the cake.

“We hope the youngsters enjoy their skate park for many years to come."