SKATEBOARDERS and BMX bike fans showed off their skills and enjoyed live music at a free festival in Carterton.

The annual Extreme Wheels event drew a crowd of up to 300 people, who enjoyed skateboarding, in-line skating and BMX demonstrations and competitions at the skate park in Upavon Way.

BMX rider Alex Oliver, 29, of Carterton, was one of the organisers of the first event in 2005.

He said: “Everyone likes the extreme sports, as it’s an exciting thing to do, they come down and have a look and try it out for themselves. It helps to boost interest and keeps the sport going.”

On Saturday bands including Elysium Waits, Dead on our Feet, Hang on Look John, Cafe Kids, Rufio Summers, Divine Secret, Get Set Radio and Pegasus Bridge played into the evening.

Festival organiser Adrian Coomber, who is also the town’s deputy mayor, said: “We don’t charge entry and we only make money on the barbecue and all the money is ploughed back so that we can put it on the next year.”