AN Evesham skater is appealing to Vale children to rally round and campaign for a skate park.

Tom Barnett, aged 12, from Hampton, says he does not see why he should have to travel to Stratford every time he wishes to go skating.

Now he wants Wychavon District Council to build a skate park in the Evesham area.

Tom has been skateboarding for nearly four years and has been going to the park in Stratford for about a year. He says the children in Stratford are lucky to have one.

He has written to his local district councillor with a list of possible sites, but he has also been told that there has to be the demand for a skate park before one could be built.

"It's not only the kids that want it as a place to play, but I'm sure some of the residents, who find people like me a nuisance want it as well," he said.

Tom thinks that demand for a skate park in Evesham will be great and says he will try and set up a petition, which he will send to schools in the Vale.

He also hopes that as a result of this story, like-minded youngsters will contact the council and let them know their feelings.

Hampton councillor Jim Griffiths said he was very impressed by Tom's initiative in writing directly to him with suggestions for skate park sites in Evesham.

He said: "It's not easy to find the right spot. In fact, we have just had to re-site the ramp in Droitwich because of problems with hangers-on and their bad behaviour.

"We did look at the Abbey Park in Evesham sometime ago, but that area had a number of disadvantages. Everyone thinks they are a good idea, but no-one seems to want one on their doorstep, particularly when they are floodlit and open late."

He added that the next move the council makes would depend on what feedback they receive.