ON two wheels of more, skaters, BMXers and bladers of all abilities and ages turned out in force at Saffron Walden’s skate park on Sunday.

Skate Jam is an annual event organised by the Saffron Walden Skate Group-organised and held at the One Minet Skate Park behind the Lord Butler Fitness and Leisure Centre in Peaslands Road.

This year it took on a Olympic theme after the group secured funding from the Rural Community Council of Essex as part of the Essex Legacy Open Weekend 2011.

And it drew a health crowd, from small children to grannies -

Skate group secretary Jane Gray said: “Our thanks go to the Andre Young Loving Life Legacy who provided the money to buy the food so that all the cash raised from the barbecue went straight into the funds.

“Also thanks to the Axe pub who allowed us to borrow their barbecue and for D&K Auto Electrical Firm for their help in transporting it.”

She added: “The group did a couple of head counts during the day and we had 150 to 175 skaters and spectators of all ages on the park at any one time.

“One thing we did discover was that there are quite a few potential woman and older girl skaters just waiting to have a try so we will be looking into the possibility of providing lessons specifically for them – combined with a visit to the pub afterwards for recovery purposes!”

The Skate Jam raised �219.44 from a barbecue and donations, which will go towards the running of the skatepark.