PROPOSALS for a long-awaited new skatepark facility for youngsters in the Fordingbridge area have taken a huge leap forward thanks to a district council windfall.

New Forest cabinet members agreed to donate £40,000 towards the project at the town's Recreation Ground, which will replace and extend the ageing equipment for the town's skateboarders and BMX bikers.

The scheme, which has been led by the town council and vice-chairman Cllr Steve Bailey, is seen as vital for combating the town's on-going youth anti-social behaviour problems.

A facility has been in place on the land for a number of years, but town chairman Cllr Jean Willis said major changes were long overdue.

"New generations of youngsters come along and expect better equipment, whereas the old facility was quite modest," she explained. "Fund-raising has been the biggest hold-up in moving things on, but this grant should help put us very close to our target and - together with our new youth shelters - go some way towards solving the problems we have been having in the town."

The New Forest hand-out has been made available from past developers' contributions, and assistant leisure services director Martin Devine told the cabinet the scheme was badly needed.

"Having accessible local facilities for young people can help mitigate crime and disorder issues - particularly in this case where the facility has been the subject of consultation with young people in the town," he said.

Construction is expected to start later this year, and the equipment will be maintained by the town council.