PLANS for a skatepark in Upton could become a reality by the end of the summer if a grant application is successful.

The scheme, in memory of Kyle Salmon who died of leukaemia last year, would see ramps, half-pipes and a shelter installed on the town playing field.

It was given support in principle by Upton Town Council, which owns the land, last month.

Already, the Rural Safety Initiative - a group of police, councillors and residents - has secured £7,000 towards the project, but an additional £15,000 is needed to ensure the park can be built to a high standard.

The group hopes this will be provided by a grant from Worcestershire County Council's Youth Service, which this year earmarked £250,000 for projects in the voluntary sector. It met this week to finalise details of the bid and hopes to hear if it has been successful in the next few weeks.

Detailed plans are being drawn up by Peter Tague, who was responsible for the design of skate facilities at the Hill Centre. Kyle Salmon's father Mark, a joiner, is building a scale-model of the park to accompany the plans. These will need to be approved by the Environment Agency, due to the site's tendency to flood. The group hopes that once these targets have been met, work could begin towards the end of the summer.

Sgt Robert Werner-de-Sondberg, a member of the Rural Safety Initiative, said: "There's a real desire to see this park built by the summer. Things are looking really promising. There's money that's come about at the right time, but it depends if we can get it."

He said there would be a public presentation on the project in the sports pavilion once details had been finalised.