SKATEBOARDERS who have sparked angry complaints from pedestrians could soon have a new meeting place.

Droitwich Spa Adventure Playground manager Dave Spicer believes the venue would be perfect for a skatepark.

Residents have constantly moaned about youngsters whizzing around the town centre since skate ramps were removed from the Lido Park last year.

The equipment has been stored at the adventure playground, in King George Playing Fields, since August 1999. A hard surface must be laid before it is safe to use.

Dave has two options. He estimates it will cost £6,000 to complete the area if volunteers lay the concrete and businesses can loan equipment.

But he ideally wants to hire contractors to lay a tarmacadam surface - costing £14,000.

Cash will also have to be spent to repair the ramps. There is already £6,000 in the kitty thanks to the adventure playground, Wychavon District Council and the Margaret Westwood Trust.

Dave said: "We need people to donate cash, plan an event in aid of the park or offer labour or tools. Children want this scheme up and running.

"Skateboarding is a recognised sport but does not receive the support which many other physical activities get.

"If youngsters practise here, we can supervise them and hopefully keep them off the streets and away from the town centre."

Adventure playground chairman and Droitwich Spa town councillor Peter Pinfield (Lab, Droit.West) said: "I promised young people we would try to get the skatepark back. Hopefully, it will be ready by the spring but I appeal to readers to support us because we still have a shortfall."

Council chairman Cllr Pam Davey (Con, Droit.South) said she hoped the adventure playground would raise the money to enable it to provide this "much-needed" facility.