THE town's controversial skatepark could soon be back open.

Ramps may be in place at Droitwich Spa Adventure Playground by the summer holidays.

Droitwich Spa Town Council has allocated £7,000 in its budget for the skatepark project.

Campaigners at the King George Playing Fields youth centre have been trying to raise a minimum of £14,000 to reopen the facility.

They already had around £7,000 in the kitty.

To get the vital grant, the adventure playground must produce detailed plans for the amenity, covering safety issues and insurance.

The playground has remnants of the original skatepark, removed from the Lido Park by Tory councillors last year.

Manager Dave Spicer hopes to lay down a new hard surface at the outside playground, surrounded by ramps.

Adventure playground chairman and town councillor Peter Pinfield (Lab, Droit.West) said: "This is brilliant news for children.

"The equipment is still in good nick, although it needs a lick of paint.

"Hopefully it will be ready for use by the summer holidays."

Cllr Frank Payne (Lab, Droit.West) said: "I hope youths will make the most of the facility and put an end to the problems skateboarding has caused in the shopping area."

Council leader Cllr Pam Davey (Con, Droit.South) said: "We are committed to providing facilities for young people and this is a way of ensuring the skatepark is open sooner rather than later."

Spa beat manager PC Alun Jones said: "I welcome this news as a positive step forward for youngsters.

"However, this facility needs to be available for all age groups, at all times for it to prove a success."