A SKATEBOARD park could finally be on the cards after a series of meetings between the council and youngsters from Richmond.

Skeeby schoolboy Alasdair Alexander, 13, has been leading a fresh campaign for somewhere to enjoy wheeled crazes which are now part of teenage culture - and has already met district council leaders to outline the case.

As many as 100 other youngsters have signed a petition to underline the amount of support for the idea.

Richmondshire District Council agreed to study its options and, yesterday, chairman Coun Jane Metcalfe confirmed the authority has agreed to press ahead with more detailed research.

However, she warned there's is still some way to go before the youngsters' dreams become reality.

"We want to move on but it is a sensitive issue as we do not want to build up any hopes. We aim to have another meeting with the youngsters and take things from there," she said.

Meanwhile, Coun Metcalfe praised the young people involved in the campaign.

She said: "They are determined and I hope there is a way ahead in which they can remain involved. Alasdair has a very sensible and mature attitude, accepts that there are no immediate solutions but still remains enthusiastic."

Some hope may lie in a 'mobile' park - a new concept which includes a surface and ramps suitable for boards or rollerblades with a price tag of around £15,000.

Alasdair said: "When we met the council, they said we might be able to help with fund-raising. This equipment is not as expensive as a permanent park and all we would need is somewhere to put it."

Options suggested by the teenagers so far include charging fees for use of the facilities, or a caf near the site helping to recoup some of the cost.

They argue a park would mean youngsters would no longer have to use roads, footpaths, car parks and school playgrounds, reducing the risk of accidents and improving safety on the roads.