THE group responsible for setting up a wheel park in Barnoldswick is through to the finals of the Pride of East Lancashire Awards.

The Victory Wheelie Park group will find out if they have won an award for the best community group in East Lancashire at a ceremony at King George's Hall in Blackburn on November 22.

The group has supporters young and old - including Barnoldswick pensioner Harold Green, of Dam Head Road, who is a regular sight at the park riding the ramps with skateboarders and bike riders.

In fact, the 83-year-old ex-desert rat visits the wheel park every day during the school holidays and most weekends.

The Victory Wheelie Park group began campaigning for the facility three years ago and is still going strong now it is almost complete, though the group is still fundraising for floodlighting.

Mr Green said: "They have done very well for a group of youngsters and the wheel park has allowed me to make friends with many of them.

"I have never seen another scooter on there, it's mainly skateboarders and bike riders. I know I am taking a bit of a risk, but it's a very good feeling. You have to be brave and not go too slow on a scooter or you are liable to tip over backwards because of the weight of the machinery.

"I use the wheel park quite regularly now. The kids have all got to know me and they call me just plain Harold.

"It's broken down barriers between people. We all have to muck in together because if you didn't look at where other people are on the ramp you could be in real trouble."

He added: "The kids deserve an award because they have tried very hard. I think it's cut down on the trouble in town and the lads enjoy it."

Jackie Taylforth, secretary of the Victory Wheelie Park Group, said: "The group has gone from strength to strength and it's great that even an 83-year-old can enjoy it." She added: "I believe that the whole group deserves to be recognised."