I AM writing to you on behalf of hundreds, if not thousands of skateboarders, BMXers and inline skaters in the Wyre Forest district.

These are harmless, healthy activities, which require a great deal of practice, dedication and skill. At the moment there is one, privately owned, skate park in Kidderminster, which, at £8 per day to use, is out of reach for many people.

The only alternative for enthusiasts is to seek out appropriate surfaces such as pavements, car parks and subways.

In doing the latter we are perceived as vandals, causing noise and damage wherever we go, risking police action.

We would much prefer to be using a proper, purpose-built, municipal skateboard facility such as those made available by local councils in Bromsgrove, Redditch and Worcester.

Brinton Park would appear to have ample space for such a development without detracting from the other amenities.

Please, please, please can the residents of the area look forward to some help in taking these activities off the streets, which would be the ideal solution to satisfy skateboarders, the public and the police alike.

A number of my friends have signed a petition in support and we eagerly await the district council's response.

B CARMICHAEL

Renfrew Gardens, Kidderminster