A MAJOR venture to set up an indoor skateboarding and BMX track in Kidderminster is under threat unless the public comes to the rescue.

The plan by business couple Guiseppe and Jane Belmonte to build a 9,000 sq ft Roll 'n' Ride centre in Stadium Close faces being put back months or at worse being shelved completely after an unexpected delay in the planning stages.

Even though the project, which includes proposals to build a practice area, bike repair and gear shop and refreshment zone for up to 1,000 members was approved by district councillors last month, work still cannot begin.

The couple are now waiting for an adjustment to the Local Plan, which will be made at this month's Wyre Forest District Council planning (development control) meeting on August 15, before work can start at the site near Kidderminster Harriers Football Club.

However, Mrs Belmonte said unless 200 people bought memberships ranging from £69 to £99 before the centre opened, she could not guarantee work for a ramp builder who was due to get underway the following day.

She said: "He has given us a very good deal and if we have to look elsewhere it will cost us a lot more money. It's not as if we can wait a couple of weeks either, as he begins work on a nine-month contract for someone else at the start of September.

"The funds for the £25,000 ramp building are coming from our banks, who cannot release this until at least a fortnight after the August 15 meeting.

"If the public don't help the builder will not begin on August 16, as he needs to buy wood and other materials in advance."

She added: "If we can't start work promptly we fear the owner of the building may decide to bring a halt to our project because of all the delays."