PLANS to create a skate park in Upton are taking longer than expected become a reality.

The town council offered an ultimatum to young skaters earlier in the year, challenging them to raise £1,000.

It promised to add whatever was needed to create an area for them to use.

When the August 31 deadline was met for the skaters to raise the cash, it was thought the skate park would be ready for use before the end of the year.

The tender for the facility, on a patch of rough ground on the town's sportfield, was won by FH Plant Ltd. It quoted £4,735, including VAT, for the work, which will consist of creating a tarmac patch with raised kerbs.

But the company cannot start until the town council has obtained permission from Malvern Hills District Council to build on its land.

It will also have to obtain planning permission from the district council's southern area planning committee. An application has not yet been submitted.

The new area will mean budding skaters can practice to their hearts' content away from the area in Mulberry Drive, where their activities have brought them into conflict with residents, many of whom contributed to the cost of the new play area.