For every campaign for a skate park in Swindon one thing is certain . . . there will be an equal and opposite campaign against the plan by worried local residents.

The controversy is nothing new. Skaters are demanding the council backs their sport as it does countless other recreational activities.

And local residents, while often sympathising with the skaters' predicament, simply do not want the hassle of a park in their own back yard.

The latest chapter in Swindon's skate park story will be written next month, when Swindon Council decides whether to give the go-ahead to a small skate area near Haydonleigh Primary School, in Haydon Wick.

The scheme would transform land near the school into a skate area and five-a-side football pitch for use by the school and community.

But whatever the decision, it is unlikely to end the cycle of campaigns and counter-campaigns.

As reported in yesterday's Adver, skating facilities remain limited.

In Swindon a temporary outdoor facility has opened at the Link Centre.

Admission is free to anyone aged 13-19, with opening hours decided on demand.

The site is using ramps and half-pipes built by youngsters in the West Swindon Area Youth Team last year.

There are also a handful of skate areas outside town, in Pewsey, Marlborough and Lechlade, but these are too remote for many Swindon skaters.

In Stratton St Margaret the Parish Council went as far as buying £27,000 worth of skate equipment for a proposed park at Dorcan recreation ground in Greenbridge Road.

But before it could be installed Swindon Council intervened and ruled the plan required its permission.

The equipment now lies in storage, and Bob Blake, clerk of the parish council, has got so fed up waiting for action he is taking Swindon Council to a lands tribunal.

"It's going to be an awful long time before anything happens," said Mr Blake. A facility in Monkton Park, Chippenham, closed in June 2002 because of complaints about noise and nuisance.

Anne-Marie Bridgeman, of Chickerell Road, is concerned about plans for a skate area in Buckhurst Field, Walcott East.

"We're worried we are going to end up with anti-social behaviour, vandalism and drugs," said Mrs Bridgeman. "It's too close to local houses."

Local councillor Fay Howard (Lab, Parks) shares residents' concerns about noise and disturbance, but stressed young people in the area needed somewhere to go.

Craig Smith, owner of Tower 12 skate shop in Victoria Road, said: "I am sympathetic to people who say they don't want a park in their area.

"I wouldn't like one on my doorstep either."

Instead, Mr Smith is backing a Swindon-wide project to create a large, fully supervised indoor park away from residential housing, as featured in yesterday's Advertiser.

For more information go to www.swindoncommunitysk8project.co.uk.