FED-up young skateboarders have pleaded with town councillors for better facilities to keep them safe and out of trouble.

More than a dozen children asked Fordingbridge Town Council for badly-needed improvements to the town's skate park, amid growing concerns over youth nuisance problems.

The skateboarders say the site, part of the Recreation Ground, has fallen into a dangerous state of disrepair and is also too small for the numbers of people wanting to use it.

Council members agreed to consider the requests - if the youngsters are prepared to help fund-raise and draw up a design for the refurbishments.

Problems plaguing the site, which is regularly used by around 60 local skate and BMX enthusiasts, include an uneven cracked concrete surface in front of the ramps, poles which are too close together, and nails protruding from wooden ramps.

Sylvia Elsbury, the Methodist youth worker who brought about the Fordingbridge youth steering committee, spoke on behalf of the group at the meeting.

"A new generation of skateboarders use this facility currently, and it needs repair or maintenance," she explained.

"A satisfactory solution needs to be found for all members of the community - older and younger."

District Cllr Bob Hale backed the project, adding: "This has now become a world-class sport, and is very important to the people of Fordingbridge."