THREE parks could be created in Durham for young skateboard and BMX enthusiasts.

The Durham Skate and Bike Partnership hopes to win planning permission and funding for facilities at the Meadowfield and Abbey leisure centres and possibly a further park in the Gilesgate Moor or Belmont areas.

The parks could ease the problem of damage being done by BMX riders and skateboarders to the city's biggest civic building.

County Hall, headquarters of Durham County Council, is being used by dozens of youngsters in their late teens who perform stunts on the steps, ramp and seats outside the main entrance.

The council says it has to spend thousands of pounds on repairing damage and introducing extra security measures to curb the problem.

On one occasion, skateboarders got on to the roof of the cafeteria and County Hall manager David Dixon said: "We fear that somebody will get seriously hurt.

"The problem has developed over time and has got to the point where unacceptable levels of damage are being caused to various areas.

"The people who are doing it are older teenagers and young adults and are old enough to know better.''

Workers are having to repair splintered seats, damaged stonework and broken railings.

"We had repaired one area of stonework and a group of older teenagers removed the barrier and tape and rode across it and damaged it again.''

In one incident a woman suffered an ankle when a skateboarding youngster crashed into her.

"Some of the younger skateboarders are actually dropped off by the parents.''

The council is having to spend £12,000 on extra CCTV cameras.

The council is involved in the Durham Skate and Bike Partnership along with other organisations including Durham City Council and the police.

Earlier this year it invited youngsters to an exhibition of different skate park designs.

City council leisure services manager Nigel Dodds said: "We are striving to provide services that meet the needs of all the community.

"However, with projects such as skate parks it is necessary to obtain external funding and work in partnership with other interested groups to meet these needs.''

* The city council is running coach trips to the APE Skate Park at Thornaby, near Stockton, each Thursday through the holidays. For details call (0191) 301 8425.