WORK is set to start on a skate park in memory of a teenager who died tragically while fishing with friends.

Popular 14-year-old Nathan Spiers drowned last July, while fishing with friends in Lower Broadheath.

His parents, Sandra and Conrad, decided the park would be a fitting tribute to their son, who was a passionate skateboarder, and now fundraisers have negotiated a reduced price for the project.

With the help of friends and the local community, they raised £23,000 for the scheme.

They then suffered a major setback when they were told that the skate park would cost £38,000, after originally being quoted a price of just £25,000.

The Spiers family, who are keen to see the park being used by the first anniversary of Nathan's death, made a desperate appeal to Evening News readers to help them reach the target.

Now, they have managed to bring the cost of the project down to £27,000.

Angie Rich, Worcester City Council's assistant community development manager and a friend of the Spiers family, said she negotiated with the building company and it agreed to do the work for a reduced fee.

"We've managed to lower the price from £38,000 to £27,000," she said. "It's a massive saving just with negotiation."

They still need to raise £4,000, but Mrs Rich said Worcester Consolidated Municipal Charities had agreed to underwrite this amount.

"They have been so good to us, but we would like to raise the money from elsewhere if we can," she said.

The city council has agreed to clear the site off Howard Road, Dines Green, and Demolition UK is donating the security fencing.

"It has been a massive joint effort from a lot of different people," said Mrs Rich.

Anyone who would like to make a donation or raise funds for the Nathan Spiers Skate Appeal should call Mrs Rich on 01905 722361 or send donations to: Angie Rich, Orchard House, Farrier Street, Worcester.

Cheques should be made payable to Streets Ahead.