YOUTHS who lobbied councillors for a Malvern skatepark in 1998 say they no longer have faith in the consultative process.

Skaters, skateboarders and BMX riders met with officials from Malvern Town and Malvern Hills District councils and gave several presentations to members on what they thought a facility should contain.

The council included the skatepark in a £250,000 refurbishment programme to Victoria Park at the beginning of 1999.

But discontent from users has followed ever since, as reflected in the recent Youthink survey results, in which 60 per cent said skateboarding facilities in Malvern should be improved.

After lobbying the council in 1998, Mike Gogerty, aged 19, of Wye Avenue, said he was not impressed with the meetings held.

"They invited us to meetings but it seemed like more of a procedure and they had already decided what we would have," he said.

Carl Halford, 19, of Alicante Close, said youngsters' advice seemed to have been ignored.

"I don't think they took us seriously, they didn't think we knew what we were on about," he said.

Both skaters agreed the park was still below standard.

"It's outside, it's metal and it's tiny," Mr Gogerty said.

"People bring dogs and mud onto it.

"It needs to be concrete, nothing else. It will save them a fortune as it won't need much maintenance and it won't be noisy."

MHDC assistant chief executive Stephen Leese said responsibility for the park now lay with Malvern Town Council, but admitted youngsters may have been left in the dark about the plans.

"Perhaps we're not as good as we should be at going back and saying we just can't do it," he said.

"Even if people don't get what they want they should at least know why."

Malvern Town Council were unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.