MOBILE skate equipment is on its way to Wyre Forest after a £27,000 grant was secured - less than a month after the district's only skate park shut.

The money, from the Substance Misuse Action Team which addresses a range of youth issues, will pay for a variety of ramps, jumps and rails to be transported around the district on a trailer and set up on any suitable piece of flat land.

After-school clubs, youth clubs and town and parish councils will be able to arrange visits of the state-of-the-art equipment and trained staff will be on hand.

Wyre Forest District Council is putting the contract out to tender but the project will be co-ordinated by the Youth Strategy Group, an umbrella organisation which includes the police, district councillors and Wyre Forest Community Housing.

Group member Fran Oborski said the grant was "absolutely brilliant" in light of the closure of the indoor Skate Shack, Stadium Close, Kidderminster.

"I quite understand why the owner had to pull the plug on it - it wasn't economically viable - but in terms of community usage it's been a disaster."

She added: "I think it's a sensible way forward. When kids skateboard in places where they shouldn't, they get into trouble with the community.

"All they're asking for is somewhere where they can do it. I hope it will be in use on a daily basis."

No date has been finalised for when the skate equipment will be ready but it could be up and running by September.

The district council's community development manager Leslie Fox said: "Some of the times it will be free, while other times we'll hire it out for events.

"It has to pay for itself."

Mrs Oborski said pupils at Comberton and Offmore first schools and Comberton Middle School in Kidderminster are being asked if they want skateboard facilities at the Borrington Road playing fields.

If the answer is "yes" further funding will be sought - possibly from Kidderminster and District Youth Trust.