A SKATE park and a multi-use games area are being planned for Wootton Bassett.

Town councillors are looking at ways to build a multi-use games area for football, netball, basketball or hockey.

They are also considering plans for the travelling skate park from Chippenham to come to the town, to give young people somewhere to skate in the meantime.

The two issues will be discussed at a meeting of the Town Council's amenities committee on Tuesday, which will be held in the Civic Centre, Station Road.

Liberal Democrat leader Steve Walls said: "We are still assessing the need from various groups, but Wootton Bassett is short of places for young people to meet, and of course we have no skating facilities at all.

"We have tried to build a skate park several times, but each time it has been opposed by the District Council and objections from neighbours, so we're hoping that bringing the travelling facility to town will suit everyone. Skating is clearly not a fad, it is here to stay and it is popular with local young people, so they should have somewhere to practice."

Skateboard enthusiasts have been pleading for an area to practise for more than 15 years, but the idea was rejected in January last year on the grounds that the town council could not afford to pay for it.

Gareth Brown, youth development co-ordinator at Lime Kiln youth club said: "I think there is definitely a need for this, as the young people have demonstrated time and again during the eight years I have been here.

"Skating is popular with young people and at the moment they are forced either to travel to Swindon to skate, or get into trouble skating in the High Street or on the housing estates.

"The youth club is open on week nights for a variety of activities, but for those who want to be outdoors there isn't much, and if this becomes a reality it will be good for young people to have a safe place where they can go and kick a ball about."