AMBITIOUS plans to create up to five skateboard parks - ending a five-year drought in district facilities - have been revealed.

And the umbrella organisation co-ordinating moves, the Youth Strategy Group, now has renewed determination to get concrete results after a successful meeting earlier this month, members said.

The district's last skatepark, in Kidderminster's Borrington Road, was removed after it was attacked by vandals.

Three sites could be created in Kidderminster - in Brinton Park, Springfield Park and Borrington Road - while Bewdley and Stourport would receive one skatepark each next to their respective leisure centres.

Plans are most advanced in Bewdley, which already has £25,000 of Opportunity Bewdley cash and carried out a feasibility study into the project in July.

A state-of-the-art facility can cost up to £60,000. skateboarders Harry Keen, Tom Hinton and Ryan Clarke with youth worker Maz Appleyard next to the proposed skate park outside Bewdley Leisure Centre.

Wyre Forest District Council community development officer, Lesley Fox, said interested parties - including the district council, police and community groups - were "getting their act together" after various plans had been "rumbling along for months and years".

However, leading players have stressed before funding can be sought, from sources such as the National Lottery, costs must be assessed and sites agreed.

Most are on district council land, which is planning a rationalisation of play areas.

But Wyre MP Dr Richard Taylor said proposals were gathering momentum.

"I think we have got to get some skateboard facilities going as soon as possible. It's absolutely essential," he said.

"We had a very useful meeting a fortnight ago where a group was organised to look particularly at details of skateboard facilities.

"We recognise this has been going on so long unless something happens some kids' hopes will be even more delayed."

Councillor Fran Oborski said progress would be "incremental" and it could take up to four years to reach the ultimate goal of five skateboard parks.

She added: "It's particularly an issue in the area I represent, Offmore and Comberton.

"We have major problems in Comberton largely caused by young people not having anything to do," she said.

Bewdley youth worker Maz Appleyard said she was "very hopeful" and added once their site had been finalised securing further grants would be "quite simple".

Young people in the town have already organised two petitions in the last two years calling for skateboarding facilities and another is in the pipeline.

A visit for young people to assess skateparks in county towns has been arranged for October 29, and a skateboarding gala will take place on November 23 and 24 at a venue to be announced.