YOUNGSTERS in Fairford could soon have their own skate park after the town's Ernest Cook Trust agreed to donate a plot of land to the project.

Campaigners now need to raise £50,000 to enable the facility to be built on the site, at the back of Fairford Sports Centre.

The aim is for the park to be opened in June next year.

In the meantime, temporary ramps will be put up at the back of the town's youth and community centre.

Campaigners are hoping Cotswold District Council will manage the 40m by 18m site as part of Fairford Sports Centre.

The town council has asked Gloucester-based Rising Star Skateboarding to design the park.

Brett Dye, of Rising Star, is planning to hold a meeting with youngsters to discuss the facilities.

Residents hope the park will stop the problem of boarding in the Market Square and go some way towards solving the town's growing youth problems.

The town council has set up a working group of councillors, youth workers, youngsters and church leaders to oversee the project.

Working group member Quentin Tailford, who is also chairman of Fairford Town Council, said: "It will be open when the sports centre is open and there will be lighting."

He said the money will be raised through a public appeal for donations and by holding fundraising events.

John Malleson, of the Ernest Cook Trust, said: "We've done this to help the town and we very much hope this will solve Fairford's problems."