A mum has made an emotional plea to urge youngsters to stay away from her son's memorial skate park - until it is officially open.

Tracey Nicholson has spoken out after it emerged that some are already using parts of Kie Park - created in memory of her 15-year-old son Kieran Goulding - despite it being weeks away from completion. 

Some fencing at the £250,000 facility at Hensingham, Whitehaven, has been damaged as a result.

"The park will be open as soon as work is complete and the site had been checked and cleared of being a building site," said Tracey. "This is expected to be in mid-May.

"I know some kids have been told they can use it, but this is not true. It is currently unsafe to use, and if anyone does use it, it runs the risk of being ruined before it's even complete."

The Friends of Kie Park group, including Tracey, her friend Lisa Macleod and a host of Kieran’s friends, have worked tirelessly since Kieran’s tragic death in the Keswick School bus crash in 2010 to fundraise for the park for BMXs, skateboards and scooters, on land off Richmond Hill Road, Hensingham.

“It’s taken so long to get here but all the effort will soon be worthwhile.” said Tracey. 

"I urge people to help me and Kie Park by staying away for the next few weeks until work is complete."

Fundraisers are still inviting donations towards the ongoing maintenance of the park. 

And to further the campaign, the Gaiety cinema in Whitehaven is screening smash-hit film Guardians of the Galaxy on Sunday, May 15 (5.30pm) with all tickets proceeds being donated.

Charlotte Kennedy, marketing manager for the cinema's owners Graves (Cumberland) Ltd, said: "We’re very happy to be supporting Kie Park and believe that facilities like this are vital to the town and the area in general. 

"We really hope that everyone will get behind this screening and join us to have a great night and raise much-needed funds.”

The film is being provided to the cinema by Disney free of charge. Tickets are £6.50 (or £5 concessions) in person, on 01946 748507 or www.gaietycinema.co.uk

And to donate to the Friends of Kie Park, visit www.mydonate.bt.com/charities/kiepark , or text KEEE03 £10 to 70070.