A project that has created a leading female skateboarding scene in Brighton is on track to win a national award.

Sportivate She-Shredders has been named as best Sportivate project in the South East and is one of three shortlisted for the National Sportivate Project of the Year Award. Funding for the Sportivate project came from Active Sussex to enable girls aged 11 to 25 to take part in new sports very cheaply.

The girls-only project holds weekly sessions at The Level Skatepark, and Woodingdean and Brighton Youth Centre Skatepark, Kemp Town, with the country's Number one female skateboarder Lucy Adams coaching 18 beginner female skateboarders aged 16 to 25 in one-hour weekly sessions.

Lucy said: “We are widely recognised as having one of the largest female skate scenes in the UK. Other skateparks across the country have been getting in touch to ask about our development model so they can recreate something similar in their area.”

Course participant Louise Ting said: “I've wanted to learn to skateboard since I was a kid but never had the confidence to go to a skate park. She-Shredders gave me the opportunity to get back on my board and meet other people who want to learn to skate.”

She Shredders hold a weekly Thursday night club at Brighton Youth Centre at 64 Edward Street. For details, phone 01273 681368 or visit brightonyouthcentre.org.uk