Ref. 30052-17BORED teenagers in a rural village say their parish council is spending £27,000 on play equipment for younger children but is ignoring their own pleas for a skateboard ramp.

James Tutt, 13, and his friends, who live in Liddington near Swindon, desperately want the ramp to hone their skills.

With the help of friends, the determined Ridgeway School pupil spent his Easter holidays collecting more than 70 names of villagers supporting their case for a small ramp.

And on Monday the group was allowed to put forward its argument to Friends of Liddington Playing Fields a parish council sub-committee.

But the youngsters left disappointed after being told there were no plans for a ramp. Instead, the village will soon be getting swings, a roundabout and other equipment aimed mainly at under-10s.

"People of our age group are not going to be using any of that," said James, who lives in The Street.

"There is nothing for us to do here but skate and a lot of us use the roads. A proper ramp would stop that.

"We have been told that we're going to get a set of five-a-side goal posts but what will the girls do?"

His dad John, 49, agreed and accused the committee of being stuck in their ways.

He said: "While the members have worked really hard to get this funding form a variety of sources I can understand why James and his friends feel miffed.

"Liddington is a lovely village and on a good day you can see Bristol from the playing fields. Nobody wants to spoil it all the lads want is a small ramp.

"Unfortunately skating has been given a bad image over the years."

Ben Goodman, 12, of Yeomans Way, said facilities for older children were severely lacking in the village.

"We are really annoyed that they have spent so much money on equipment for young children and nothing on us," he said. "Most of us in the village skate and all we want is a small ramp so we can play."

Marion Warren, chair of Liddington Parish Council, said the new play equipment replaced other facilities that were removed after being deemed unsafe.

Of the £27,000 made available, £22,300 came from the National Lottery's Living Spaces programme and the remainder was raised by the villagers themselves.

Mrs Waren added that the funding came with a proviso that the equipment be replaced like for like.

She said: "Over the past year we have worked hard to secure the funding and we listened carefully to what people wanted.

"We sent forms to every household and only five came back from people wanting a skateboard ramp.

"We have to go with the view of the majority not just a few skateboard enthusiasts."

Coun Warren, who has lived in the village for 40 years, added: "This is a very sensitive area and is classed as an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

"Skateboarding does attract the wrong kind of people."

The teenagers are now seeking help from private companies. Anyone interested in making a donation can call James on 01793 790952

Kevin Shoesmith