GAZETTE & HERALD: GO-GETTING Corsham skateboarders held their first fundraising meeting this week, after their skatepark plans got the thumbs up from district councillors.

The struggle for planning permission has dragged on for more than two years but skaters can finally start to look forward to organising fundraising events to get the park built on Springfield recreation ground.

North Wiltshire District Council's Development Control Committee gave the go-ahead for the skatepark two weeks ago.

James Warburton, 13, who has been involved with the plans for the skatepark from the beginning, said: "Wherever we try to go skating we are told to go away or they will call the police and now there's nowhere to skate, so people are just giving up.

"But now we've got planning permission we can just get on with it."

Julia Stacey, community planner for Corsham, explained previously how the young people involved in the project had found it difficult to understand why the plans were taking so long to be completed. She said: "It has been a very long slog for them at times."

Because of this it was hard for all the skateboard-lovers to stay enthusiastic and many dropped out of the project.

James said: "I'm disappointed at the way some people have quit. We need to get them all involved again."

He added: "We've worked hard but in the end it will all be worthwhile."

The estimated cost of the skatepark is just over £122,000.

Manager of the project, Brian Eatock said: "The skaters have raised nearly £7,000 themselves from various fundraising events, like bag packing in Somerfield and car boot sales, but if they get all the money that is predicted they are still about £4,500 short."

Three passionate skateboarders came to the meeting on Monday full of new ideas on how to raise money, including sponsored cycle rides and cooking for the elderly.

Ben King, 14, who was at the meeting, had an inspirational idea on how to make up the shortfall. He said: "I think that the people and the businesses who keep on complaining about the skaters should all chip in. It will benefit them because we'll be off their doorstep."

Mr Eatock said: "Sometimes this is like a full-time job but I've enjoyed the battle. I've liked the challenge and I'll be proud when it's built."

And George Williams, 15, added: "I'm proud to be involved. The work Brian is putting in is much appreciated."