ENTHUSIASTIC skateboarders trying to practise their skills are causing a headache for Dines Green residents.

The youngsters, aged nine to 15, skate along the pavement and jump over self-made ramps outside DG Pharmacy, Gresham Road, most evenings and weekends.

After receiving complaints from locals, PC Craig Prewer, Dines Green beat manager, is trying to get some portable skateboard ramps brought in for the youngsters to practice on.

"There's a big skateboard problem over there at the moment," he said.

"Kids get bored if they haven't got somewhere to go.

"Their wheels are loud and they position their own ramps, putting boards on the pavement.

"The pavement by the chemist is wide and it's a large area for them to congregate.

"When people go out and ask them to move, they get back-chat."

PC Prewer said the youngsters ranged from groups of four to gangs of 15.

He has been in contact with The Rev Simon Douglas, youth worker with Angels in Exile, to get some mobile skateboarding ramps - but it is too soon to know the outcome.

Angels in Exile, based in Lower Wick, transport mobile ramps to the Timberdine car park in St Peter's Drive, every Monday from 7pm until 8.45pm.

PC Prewer said he was worried the youngsters skateboarding in Gresham Road could injure themselves.

"They've got no helmets or protectors," he said.

"At least mobile ramps are steady for them to practice on, rather than their home-made ones.

"We're hoping to get them to practice on the community centre car park."

Frances Denver, who lives opposite the Gresham Road chemist, said youngsters needed more to do.

"The tennis court a the Green Centre could be used as a skateboard area or a BMX track," said the 60-year-old great-grandmother

"They hang out here at night. There needs to be more facilities for them."