A GRANT of £50,000 could provide top skateboarding facilities for young people in Darlington.

The equipment will be made available for the town's youngsters if a bid by the Tees Valley Leisure Group to the New Opportunities Fund is successful.

The money would be used for either a static or mobile facility for skateboarders, bikers and rollerbladers.

Last week young people from the Darlington borough met Darlington Borough Council representatives and the police to discuss the need for a skateboard park in the town.

The meeting was called after a number of young skateboarders contacted the council's leisure services manager Julie Russell to complain about people's attitudes towards them.

Youngsters told the council they were being victimised because of their interest in skateboarding.

Ms Russell said: "A lot of young people like skateboarding and every child wants facilities on their doorstep.

"At the same time some adults think it is a nuisance so we have to find a balance.

"I had letters and e-mails from young people saying all they wanted to do was skate, not create a nuisance.

"So I invited some of them to come and see me and then we arranged a bigger meeting to discuss what the young people want and what we can give them."

It is hoped that a group of young skateboarders will apply to the Prince's Trust for a grant to research into what facilities are wanted and what is viable.

The council has already granted permission for skateboard demonstration in the Market Place on Thursday, May 29, and Friday, May 30, to allow the young people to start their research and show that they are committed to the project.

Ms Russell said: "The young people will be in control of the research project but they have to realise any ideas will cost money and there isn't a bottomless pit.

"Whatever facility is set up would have to be supervised and the young people would have to wear protective clothing on site."

Ms Russell hopes that the Tees Valley project will be up and running by the summer but expects the project will be separate to a specific skate area for Darlington.

She said: "Young people of all ages are telling me they want a facility in Darlington for skating and I want to show them that adults are listening to their needs."