Hundreds of youngsters have already tried out the new state-of-the-art skate park on the Links in Whitley Bay, which has also been backed by local residents.

But behind the scenes, traders in the town are angry at the attitude North Tyneside Council has taken in the lead up to the opening of the facility.

One trader, Paul Sanders, specialises in equipment and clothes for young skaters and BMX riders in his store, Urban Myth in Park View.

However, despite claims by Mayor John Harrison that the council would support Whitley Bay and its traders, Mr Sanders claims he was left out of the opening of the event, with a store in Newcastle taking pride of place for displays on the products it sells.

He said he heard nothing from the council officer until the chamber of trade complained to the mayor.

But he decided to boycott the park's opening in protest.

The businessman, who sponsors six local skateboarders and teaches skateboarding, said: "I'm furious with the council, they could have handled it better.

"In terms of local skaters and the local scene the council did nothing.

"Both myself and my skaters attended the council discussions, this shop in Newcastle didn't. It's just been a joke."

Whitley Bay Chamber of Trade chairman Alan Moses said he was appalled at the council's approach to one of the organisation's members.

"The mayor will not listen," he said.

"We are disgusted what the council has done with one of our members.

"It's diabolical. What would he think if there was a major event in North Tyneside and the Mayor of Newcastle was invited to open it?

"He says he is fully supportive of the town but is not. It's all spin.

"The mayor misses opportunity after opportunity to put things right.

"Everything is done behind closed doors with this council.

"What is the mayor afraid of? He must be to not come and talk to the people of Whitley Bay."

Mayor John Harrison said: "This has just come to my attention and I can reassure them that I am investigating how this happened.

"The opening of the skate park was a fantastic day for the whole community and it is right that Whitley Bay's businesses and residents should share in the celebration.

"The team overseeing the skate park will be contacting the businesses directly and ensuring that they will be involved in the on-going activities which will be held at the skate-park for skateboarders, BMX riders and in-line-skaters.

"We will be looking at how we can work more closely with businesses in North Tyneside."

Concerns have also been raised about the design of the skate part, with both skateboarders and BMX riders sharing the same area.

Mr Moses said it was an accident waiting to happen, with the potential for someone to get seriously injured, and called on the council to build on their success by creating a second park for BMX users only.

And the park has also been subjected to graffiti before it opened.