New images have been released as work gets underway to construct a new Olympics-inspired skate park.

Skaters have long called for an upgrade to the uneven surfaces and rusty ramps found at St Mary's Rec in Swanley.

The idea for a new park was made after an online petition to replace the facility reached hundreds of signatures.

Shortly afterwards, Swanley Town Council organised an artwork design project which attracted the attention of former BBC Apprentice contestant JD O'Brien, now living near Tonbridge.

Prior to the pandemic, the dad-of-three set up Concrete Wave, a community interest company, with a view to overhauling the park.

JD started a grassroots crowdfunder campaign to source funds to deliver a new mini ramp.

In October last year, he secured £150,000 in National Lottery funding, with the town council applying successfully for various grants to support it with an additional £30,000. In total the project will cost £250,000.

Work started earlier this month and the project is due to be completed just before Christmas.

New images have since been released showing the start of the demolition job and progress works since.

When complete it will include a beginners' mini ramp for less experienced riders and will host regular competitions, a "female-only" skating day and include facilities for wheelchair users.

Speaking to KentOnline earlier this month, JD O'Brien said he believes the skate park can spark the wider regeneration of the Rec and surrounding area, which is among the most deprived in the Sevenoaks district.

In June it was revealed more than £20,000 had been spent by Maidstone council dismantling a skate park after it was deemed "unsafe".

But JD says there is a lot of misconceptions around skate parks and he believes they are a force for good and help foster stronger community ties.

His passion for the Swanley project stemmed from young users of the park like nine-year-old Colin Milek, who despite being born with a missing forearm has gone on to learn tricks, litterpick and make news friends.

The sport made its debut at the Olympic Games in Japan and has seen a huge surge in appeal among youngsters Since.

Speaking previously, Brent Lewis, chief executive of FAR Skate Foundation, based in Whitstable, said sales for boards have gone up 650% since lockdown, buoyed by the Olympics.

The director of Skateboarding GB said: "Since the Olympics with Sky Brown doing really well and Bombette [Martin] doing really, we've had for us personally at our foundation about 100 extra people a week wanting to take up skateboarding.

"So we've got about 400 people a week we teach skateboarding. So it's gone up loads and they've been really inspired by skateboarding."

The town council will be hosting a grand opening event for the new skate park on April 15.