A design competition led by Bournemouth Arts Emerging Fringe (BEAF) festival is to raise vital funds to support a regeneration of a skatepark.

Boscombe-based BEAF has launched the ‘Design a Deck’ competition in association with Noyce Gardens DIY, Moose Skate shop, MBN Arts and Dorset Mind.

The funds raised will support a volunteer-led project, which is regenerating an abandoned skate park at Noyce Gardens on Bournemouth’s Townsend Estate.

BEAF, which runs the popular independent fringe arts festival each year, has joined forces with a group of volunteers who have been working hard on reviving a skatepark that was first built in the 1970’s.

The aim is to create a safe recreational space for the community of Townsend and the surrounding areas.

A spokesperson for Noyce Gardens skatepark project said: “Within the estate and surrounding areas there aren’t many places for kids to hang out, which is why the revival of this skatepark could be great for the local community.

“We really hope it will change the area for the better, giving kids somewhere to skate and a safe space to connect.”

The ‘Design a Deck’ competition encourages entrants to submit a creative design on a skateboard deck to help raise funds, win prizes and support a great cause.

The winner will have their design printed and sold at Moose Skates and will receive up to £200 to spend in the shop.

All entries will feature in an exhibition during the BEAF Festival in June this year, where there will be another chance to win prizes.

All funds go towards the costs of building the skatepark.

The competition will be judged by renowned artist/designers Soy Panday and Eloise Dörr and our young person’s Ambassador 16 year old Fin who will judge the Under 18’s category.

Anyone can come along during the BEAF festival to join open workshops and create a design to enter the competition.

Carol Maund, Director, BEAF, pictured left, said: “We are so grateful to everyone who has helped raise funds for this project so far, and we are receiving some fantastic designs already.

“We know this is an important project so felt we had to do all we could to support the volunteers at Noyce Gardens.

“The deadline to enter the competition is June 14 but you can also donate without having to submit a design too!”

Bournemouth Emerging Arts Fringe Festival week is from June 26 to July 4.

Visit gotbeaf.co.uk for more details.

BEAF is supported by Arts Council England, Bournemouth Coastal BID, Arts University Bournemouth, People’s Health Trust, J.P. Morgan and Morgan Sindell.