KING George V playing fields skate park, in Melksham, will be extended further by the addition of a new mini-ramp which will be put in as soon as this summer.

Chairman of the Melksham area board, Cllr Johnathon Seed put in a request to the town council for £5,000 to go towards the mini ramp at the Melksham area board meeting. The ramp is expected to cost an estimated £25,000.

Cllr Seed said:”There isn’t anywhere for the youngsters so we’re really keen we have somewhere for them to go.

“Gompels chemist and pharmacy pledged that they would match whatever we raised so over half of the total has come from them so they have been really supportive and they are a local business in Melksham.

“Out of the £25,000, four fifths of it is funded by local businesses which is really important to have.

The scheme has the backing of James Threlfall, who was successful in the initial lobbying and a skateboarder who has received an MBE for services to young people.

“James has been really good at supporting the project so he has really got this off the ground.

“It’s such a great project and now we have all the funding for the ramp it will be built by June.

“The skate park provides opportunity for all the youth of Melksham and supports areas of engagement in something that gives them a future. Two people locally are Olympic standard and of course skateboarding is an Olympic sport so it’s great to have it.

“The youngsters that use it maintain the skate park and they are ownership of it. Having this area young people are taking a social responsibility but if you said that to them they wouldn’t really get it but they’re doing that and exercising which makes them better citizens.