SKATERS in Highworth may be closer to having their own park after the town council backed a possible site for the facility.

Councillors voted to investigate whether the area on Swindon Road, at the entrance to the town's public golf course, could be turned into a skateboarding area.

The site is owned by Swindon Council, which must agree to lease it before the project can go ahead.

The Highworth Sk8ers Committee have campaigned for a place where they can carry out their moves and get first aid, a telephone, toilets and other facilities on hand.

It has collected more than 250 signitures in favour of a wheelsports facility for the town which it presented to the town council on Tuesday,

Robert Mountain, a manager at Swindon based Honda, is chairman of the Highworth Sk8ters Committee.

He gave a presentation to the town council about three potential sites. Land next to the bowling green was rejected because that is where a new youth meeting point will be located.

A site near the golf shop was also dismissed because of possible objections from the residents of Wrde Hill.

Mr Mountain said the total cost of a skateboard facility would be around £25,000 and that so far the skateboarders have raised £8,500through events such as a skateathon and games evenings

Mr Mountain said: "We were very pleased with the outcome of the meeting and that the council supports investigating the proposed site.

"This recognises the hard work and commitment of young skateboarders over the years.

Trainee youth worker Jo Dolby, 18, of Stonefield Drive, is a keen skateboarder. She attended the meeting of the recreation committee and said: "I have a mixed reaction to what has been decided.

"On the one hand I dont quite feel that was the best possible site. But then again this is the closest we have ever been in three years of getting a skatepark."

A level student Chris Montgomery, 16, who also attended the meeting, said: "It went pretty well, I think we are a lot closer to getting a skatepark.

Town clerk David Lane, said:" The council is obliged now to talk to people around that area in preparation of going through consultation process.

"We have got to talk to Swindon Council to see if they will lease us the site and that is why we are saying we are still investigating the possibility of getting the site."