A PROPOSAL to build new basketball courts has received a mixed response from councillors, with some raising concerns about skateboarders damaging the facilities.

Representatives from Malvern Hoops asked the town council to back their campaign to build two courts in Victoria Park, Malvern.

The proposed courts would replace the park's trim trail and cost an estimated £95,000.

But many councillors on Malvern Town Council expressed reservations about the plan - despite voting to support it in principal.

Cllr Jill Campbell said she was keen on the idea but worried about security issues.

She said: "How are you going to stop skateboarders getting in and ruining things?

"I also have a concern about maintaining the quality. Back in my playing days the courts were always indoors."

She also asked how the courts' surface would be protected.

Jon May, from Malvern Hoops, responded by saying the surfaces would be maintained in the same way as the current courts and that the basketball hoops they want to buy come with a lifetime guarantee.

Mr May told the councillors: "I've seen the facilities in Malvern deteriorate heavily.

"They have got worse and worse. Our proposal is to replace the trim trail [in Victoria Park] with two basketball courts.

"There will be additional fences, benches a tarmac path and dustbins."

Mr May added that the basketball courts are also used as football pitches, which causes problems.

"I saw a boy and his dad come down to play basketball and five minutes later people came down to play football and forced them off the court," he said.

Dale Ryan, director of basketball at Worcester University, was also at the council meeting, on Tuesday, April 4.

"We are very supportive of what Tom and Jon are doing. We see this as valuable for young players," he said.

Cllr Hannah Campbell called on the council to support the project to allow Malvern Hoops to get funding.

Cynthia Palmer, the Mayor of Malvern, added: "It's a free court for everyone to use because the courts available in town are expensive."

Cllr Patrick Mewton also called on the council to support the project in principle.

The trim trail would be moved behind the park's bowling club under the plans.