SKATEBOARDING could be set for a new lease of life in Swindon.

The town currently has no skateboard parks but councillors have responded after they were inundated with requests from youngsters wanting somewhere to go.

In response Swindon Council has drawn up a Code of Practice for Skateparks. It gives clear requirements for the management of parks during planning, design and operation.

The council has already inspected four sites to assess how suitable they are.

These sites are near St Luke's School in Cricklade Road; Croft Sports Centre in Old Town; the Link Centre in West Swindon and Dorcan School in Covingham.

Councillors at last night's meeting backed the code, and agreed the town had a need for skating facilities.

Peter Robinson, the council's principal recreation manager, said he had worked with schemes such as at the Croft Sports Centre where the youngsters themselves had built the skatepark and promised to maintain and look after it themselves.

But the councillors were warned of the example of the skateboard facility at the Oasis, which closed after it became a night time hang out for drug abusers and prostitutes.

Coun David Glaholm (Lab, Penhill) said: "I welcome this code of practice, it is another on the ladder towards getting something the youngsters want."