THIS is the first glimpse of designs for the long-awaited skatepark to be built in South Park.

If the plans get the go-ahead from Darlington Borough Council's planning committee, the £55,000 park could be finished in June.

But the proposals have sparked opposition from some residents who are worried it could lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour.

In November Paul Naisbitt, who runs Urban Chaos in Darlington, said the council's original designs for the park were not what youngsters wanted.

He said skaters wanted ramps made out of concrete, rather than wood, and favoured bowl-style obstacles, rather than the suggested quarter pipes.

Planning officers returned to the drawing board and have tried to please residents and skaters. The latest designs were produced after consultation with 270 skaters.

Their ideas were incorporated into the final designs, which include a skate bowl, ramps, gaps, ledges which skaters can grind over and a central raised area for jumps.

Mr Naisbitt said: "These plans were drawn up by a lot of my customers and it is now definitely what they want."

The council plans to install security cameras at the park. It is hoped the designs will go before the planning committee in March, with work to start in April and take two months to complete. The skatepark is part of the £3.9m restoration project in South Park and will be built near the tennis and basketball courts.

Councillor Lee Vasey, cabinet member for leisure services, said: "If the plans are given the go-ahead, I am sure that we will have a terrific new leisure facility for young people in the borough."