DEVIZES resident Bill Richardson told a court this week that since a skateboard park was built in Hillworth Park three years ago he has suffered from excessive noise and vandalism.

Mr Richardson, 62, is suing Devizes Town Council, which owns the skateboard park, and his case was heard at Bath County Court on Tuesday.

His Honour Judge Paul Darlow will rule if the skateboard park, which is 30 metres away from Mr Richardson's home, is a nuisance. If he does, it would mean the skateboard park would have to close.

Mr Richardson, who is retired, moved from London to live in a section of Hillworth House in 1994.

The property, including an original Orangery, backs on to Hillworth Park where the skateboard park was built in in 1998.

Mr Richardson said the area was formerly peaceful and tranquil, but after the skateboard park was built he was disturbed by noise and his home was vandalised.

In June 2000, 11 windows in the Orangery were smashed.

Mr Richardson told the court that at times the noise was so loud he was unable to sit in his sitting room or on the veranda.

He said he had nothing against young people enjoying themselves but considered the skateboard park was in the wrong place.

The court heard that Hillworth Park had been considered the least suitable location for a skateboard park when Devizes Town Council drew up a list of potential sites.

The preferred sites were on land at Devizes School and next to Devizes Leisure Centre, but these were both vetoed by the school governors and by Kennet District Council

Town councillors voted against a site on The Green, leaving Hillworth Park as the only site available.