Piazza spectacular a huge success

The cream of the UK's top skateboarding and BMX talent thrilled hundreds of youngsters as Devonshire Square was transformed into a skatepark for the afternoon.

The unprecedented event grew gasps of surprise from unaware passers-by and won't be easily forgotten. Admirers watched open-mouthed as professional bikers and boarders as well as a handful of talented locals pulled off trick after incredible trick on the mini half-pipe ramp set up in the square. They were accompanied by a soundtrack of booming hip-hop breaks and beats and even live music.

At one point the DJ bellowed: "Big up to all the Bexhill gangsters!" - surely the first time those words have been uttered in Devonshire Square and a far cry from the typical Monday afternoon activity.

The event forms part of the Eastpack Transition tour, which was persuaded to come to town by Mark and Richard Moore of the Source skate/BMX shop in Wilton Road. It filmed for satellite television.

Delighted Rother council leader Graham Gubby said the show proved what great potential the newly-refurbished Devonshire Square has for holding public events. He added: "The town has never seen anything like this and it's brilliant. The spectators have loved it. We've had some criticism for the work which has been done to the square but I'm not giving up. I want events like this throughout every summer, so people pick up the Bexhill Observer and say 'what's going on at Devonshire Square today?'.

"This event proves to the town what a great asset this space can be to the community. It's great that our own talent is involved as well. There must be three or four hundred children here now. What would they be doing if not for an event like this? Probably watching telly at home."

His comments were endorsed by youngsters who queued to have t-shirts and posters signed by their idols such as skaters Lee Blackwell, Lee Dainton, Danny Callow and Lucy Adams as well as BMXers Anthony Pill, Ben Manuel, James Hitchcox and Chris Mahoney.

Trainee chef Corey Woods, 17, said: "This is just what this town needs to shed its old image and the square is a perfect venue. I never thought I'd ever see anything like this in Bexhill but I'm pleased it's happened."

Albert Johnson, 15, said: "It's good that some older people dropped by to look as well. A lot of them have probably never seen anything like this and may have been a bit wary or apprehensive but they can see it's just harmless fun."

Lawrence Parker, 14, added: "It was a really funky atmosphere. "