Folkestone's long-awaited multi-million pound indoor skate centre is due to open early in the new year, it has been revealed.

That is the latest announcement from the team behind urban sports park F51, which is currently being built on the corner of Tontine Street and Dover Street.

The multi-storey centre will include two floors dedicated to skating, climbing and bouldering areas, a reception, cafe, boxing area and shower and changing facilities when complete .

The project has been funded and developed by the Roger De Haan Charitable Trust as part of a wave of regeneration plans for the town.

It will ultimately be managed by the Shepway Sports Trust.

It was first proposed in 2015 but has been subject to many delays due to its complex design, escalating costs and previous issues with cladding, which have now been resolved .

Covid-19 was its latest set back , and its ambitious opening date this summer has now been pushed back to the beginning of next year .

A spokesman said: "It’s been a few months since we last updated you on the current opening date of the building.

"Despite Covid-19’s interference, work has resumed and as many of you have noticed, the cladding is now covering a large portion of the facility.

"Maverick Skate have been down to prepare for the finishing touches on the bowl floor and Cambian Action’s timber ramps have been delivered, ready for installation on both the street and flow floors.

"While Covid-19 has certainly disrupted our original plan to open this summer, we are hopeful that we are now on track to open our doors in early 2021."

Last month, contractor Jenner compared working on the centre to completing a giant jigsaw puzzle .

This was down to each facade panel have to be fitted one-by-one.

Over the years, F51 has received celebrity endorsements from American rapper MC Hammer and pro-skater Bam Margera .

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone