SKATEBOARDERS are rallying support to raise funds and find a site to build an innovative quarter of a million pound skateboard park.

The Coleford-based skaters and bikers have now set up a website, Facebook page, launched a petition and started negotiations with the town council, police and owners of their preferred site on land owned by the Angus Buchanan Trust.

Philip Levins, speaking on behalf of the Coleford Skate/bike park Community Group said they'd met with police, councillors and Trust members to outline their aims.

He said they'd also brought on board specialist designers from Maverick who design low impact skateparks, will be raising money and bidding for Lottery funding.

Town Clerk, Annie Lappington, said councillors attending the meeting had been: "Really impressed with the skater boys. They did a fantastic presentation, they've created a website and set up a fantastic Facebook page.

"Unlike a lot of youth groups who come to us they don't just 'want', they've really recognised it is part of their job to raise the funding and they're taking responsibility for doing it."

Philip Levens said the bikers/skaters have drawn up four aims.

•To provide a purpose-built outdoor skate/bike park

•To provide purposeful activity for young people as a diversion from anti-social behaviour.

•To protect the historic streets, monuments and the clock tower from damage by skateboarders and BMXrs

•To bring trade into the local community.

But the priority remains to find a suitable site, which is made more difficult because the town council owns virtually no land.

A spokesman for the Angus Buchanan Trust confirmed discussions were taking place with the skater group, but could not comment further.

To find out more about the skater group go to http://www.colefordskatepark">www.colefordskatepark or check out the Facebook page which already has 1,200 supporters.