BOURNEMOUTH will host the Big Skate this Saturday with the aim of proving that skateboarding can be enjoyed safely.

The Big Skate has been in the planning for months but will take place at a time when there are calls to ban people from skateboarding in Bournemouth Square following an incident between a pedestrian and a skateboarder.

The Big Skate will take place at the Triangle between 10am and 6pm and will include a competition with prizes and expert coaching by Hamish Fleming of don'train.co.uk.

It has been organised by Dorset Police and youth workers while Tony Hill, the owner of Prevail Skatehouse, has built ramps and boxes for the course.

Local companies including Consortium, Vans and Animal have all donated prizes for the competition, which will take place between 4pm and 6pm.

PC Joel Brooks said: "The event has been organised for months but it is perfect timing with what's happening recently.

"We see it as a way of engaging with a hard to reach group of people. Skateboarding is not a new thing, it has been around for decades and it's a big movement.

"We hope to promote safer skateboarding and to alert them to other, more safer, places to skate."

Hamish, who runs the Skatemobile mobile skatepark and coaches people of all ages, said: "I think it's going to be great and anyone who wants to learn to skate, whether they are aged five or 90, should come down.

"You go to any city in Europe and there are skateboarders everywhere. I think there's room for everyone but the problem is people have a very low opinion of skateboarders."

And Chris George, a street-based youth worker, said: "I've spoken to quite a few young people who are talking about the Big Skate and looking forward to the competition.

"It is nice to see young people being active and it's a shame that sometimes the actions of a few people can ruin things for a wider group."