About 1,500 young people tried out a mobile skate ramp at Prissick base, Marton, at the weekend and talked about plans for a permanent, free, open-air area dedicated to skating.

Middlesbrough Council's development manager Paul Rabbits said: "We have been so busy at the end of the day that we have had to kick them off, so it shows that the demand is definitely there."

"They are coming from all over the area and it includes everyone from an eight-year-old semi professional, to a bunch of medical students from James Cook University Hospital."

Excitement at the event was heightened yesterday when three local professional skaters, Danny Callow, Peter Singh and Matt Quinny, gave a demonstration of their talents.

Mr Rabbits said he was confident the council would be able to gather enough grants from community-based organisations and national bodies to build skate park in Middlesbrough worth up to £500,000.

He is hoping the park will be open in 12 to 18 months.

It is likely to include a concrete bowl so skaters can "drop in" and skate and do jumps. There will also be street skate sections with urban obstacles to do tricks.