SKATERS in Calne won praise after they turned out in force to state their case for new ramps in the town.

The youngsters spoke out in favour of the site near Anchor Road, which is being proposed as a replacement for the bowl in Station Road that has been plagued by anti-social behaviour.

They told residents they simply wanted a place to pursue their sport.

John Edwards, 15, of Rookery Park, said: "We all look after each other and if someone does get hurt we make sure he's taken care of. We don't deliberately try to disrupt people, we skate because we love it."

Resident Tony Bott, of Bentley Grove, told the meeting: "I support them. They seem to be a very sensible group of lads. Unfortunately there are a group in town which aren't."

Calne town clerk Ann Kingdon said the youngsters acquitted themselves well. "These are sensible young people who want the opportunity to pursue their sport in the fresh air."

Almost 200 skaters, parents and residents packed into the town hall for the meeting called by Calne Town Council to air views on plans for the new skate park.

Most residents in Hillcroft and Anchor Road agreed there was a need for a new skatepark in Calne but were concerned about noise levels, security, supervision and safety.

Sgt Nic Shorten of Calne police said officers were unhappy with the existing site because it is enclosed. But he added: "The proposed site is very open, which means activities are very open and we are confident this would result in a level of self-policing."

The town council presented a detailed sound survey carried out by consultants.

It found if concrete ramps were built noise pollution would be kept to a minimum barely surpassing existing levels. Mrs Kingdon said if noise continued to be a problem acoustic fencing or bunding could be built around the site.

Skateboard campaigner John Taylor, of Wood Street, Calne, said he felt the meeting was very positive.

"Providing they think before they jump we won't make the same mistake Chippenham did," he said.

"It's where it should have been in the first place and it could be a model for other towns."

A spokesman for the newly-formed Residents of Anchor Road Association also felt the meeting went well.

"I thought all the locals who live near the site were anti it and the council failed to address the concerns regarding sound and security.

"We are not against a skate park, we're against the proposed site."

The plans will be considered by the full council in September.