By Catherine Stone

A GRANT of £7,000 is to be spent on a Redditch skatepark revamp despite complaints of "abuse and violence" from some of the youngsters in the area.

The Local Network-funded project will see the installation of custom-designed ramps and "street" furniture such as picnic tables and benches at the Icknield Street Drive venue.

Skatepark founder Steve Rooke said he was thrilled and amazed at the efforts of revamp organisers The Noise Project, made up of young Redditch church-goers.

But he claimed staff still felt "isolated and intimidated" as a result of antisocial behaviour from "undesirables" hanging around outside the park.

"The skatepark is a major family-orientated organisation and attracts young people from all over Redditch," he said at a recent Matchborough Neighbourhood Group meeting. But staff are suffering unacceptable levels of abuse and violence from outsiders on a day-to-day basis."

Mr Rooke said the introduction of CCTV in Matchborough Centre had displaced yobs who were now congregating outside the skatepark.

He said antisocial behaviour had been a problem for the last five years but had become increasingly worse, culminating in a recent robbery.

He said: "We feel alone as an organisation and as a facility - something has got to be done."

Mr Rooke is currently liaising with Redditch Council's community safety manager, Angie Highway, to discuss possible support from the council's Community Safety Partnership.

Meanwhile, The Noise Project members kicked off the park revamp recently with a weekend painting session.