THERE were ollies, flips and spins in Gwent when the UK Pro Workshop tour came to town.

The tour was a first for Newport where local skating, break dancing, turntable and BMX enthusiasts had a rare opportunity to learn from top professionals.

The Sprite Urban Sessions tour was held in the Extreme Skatepark in Herbert Road.

Professionals showcased their spectacular skills and the hottest names in urban sport were on hand to give tips.

The En4cers and B-Boys Soopa J and De Man were giving tutorial sessions along with top skaters, including London-born Peter Hellkar.

Mr Hellkar, who has been skating for 19 years and has competed all over the world said: "This tour is a great opportunity to teach kids and everyone interested in skating. You get such a buzz from teaching them a new trick.

"The Sprite team were there to teach anyone who has a thirst for urban sports, new skills and moves, whatever your level of ability."

Organiser Phil Young said: "Urban culture is huge in this country and the Sprite Urban Sessions provide a fantastic opportunity for the Newport public to witness, interact and learn from the nation's hottest urban talent."

Sprite Urban Sessions forms part of Sprite's ongoing support and celebration of urban street culture in Great Britain.

Newport skaters Tom Steele, 15, and John Coppen, 14, have been skating for four years.

Tom, from Ponthir said: "Today was brilliant, the skaters were very good and we have learned a lot of new tricks."

An established part of this activity is the annual Sprite Urban Games, the famous urban sports events in the UK, now in its seventh year, which takes place in London this summer, from July 22 to 24.

This three-day weekend festival of high energy urban sports features the world's top BMX-ers and riders battling it out in street and ramp competitions with the break-dancers ready to lock and pop in the B-Boy Arena.