A CASH-strapped youth group has had to put its portable ramp service on hold, leaving sport-loving skateboarders out in the cold.

Angels in Exile has blamed a lack of funding for forcing it to pull out of its Monday slot in St Peter's.

The youth group, which provided ramps in nine Worcester locations in the summer, was given £350 by St Peter's Parish Council in July.

But organisers say the cash is still not enough to fund them.

"We are seeking more money at the moment," said the Rev Simon Douglas, of Angels in Exile. We're hoping to resume the service, but in the short-term, run a monthly activity up there."

Members were taking their ramps to the Timberdine pub car park, at the Bath Road end of St Peter's Drive, every Monday from 7pm to 8.45pm, before the cash crisis hit.

It will still set up ramps at 61 Canada Way, Lower Wick, from 6pm to 9pm every Monday, and the car park at Worcester Baptist Church, Sansome Walk, every Saturday from 11am to 3.30pm.

"We managed to get some funding from trusts for Sansome Walk and Lower Wick, but not for St Peter's," added Rev Douglas.

At a recent St Peter's Parish Council meeting, PC Sharon Whitehouse, beat manager for St Peter's and St John's, asked members what they could do to provide skateboard facilities.

Chairman Roger Knight said the Rampage Indoor Skate Park, a new facility in nearby Orchard Street, might ease the problem.

The new skateboard park opened on Saturday, October 5.

But PC Whitehouse said the cost might put youngsters off, and felt they might start using residential streets.

"It's whether parents can afford that," she said.

Mr Knight said a new skateboard facility in St Peter's would cost around £20,000, which was a disproportionate amount compared with the amount of skateboarders in the area.

Mayor Robert Rowden asked if a parking area near the Ketch pub could be used.

"Perhaps we can talk to them to see what they want," said PC Whitehouse.

After the meeting, Mr Knight said the parish council had to look into the amount of St Peter's children using a facility before offering a large grant.