PLANS for a wheel park in Settle could fail due to the lack of a suitable site.

Local youngsters seeking a dedicated skate park are now appealing for anyone with a potential site to come forward.

A group of teenagers first attended Settle's annual parish meeting to appeal for help in getting a wheel park in the town.

The young cyclists, in-line skaters and skateboarders said they would like somewhere to carry on their hobby without causing a nuisance or danger to anyone.

The idea was later discussed by Settle's Multi-Agency Partnership group, made up of members of the community and the police, and it was agreed to form a committee of adults and children to progress the scheme.

However, since then the initiative has floundered as a suitable site has not been found.

"Everything we have tried has been met with a brick wall," said Craven's youth action officer PC Neil Hargreaves, one of the committee members.

The first site proposed was under the railway arches next to Whitefriars garage, but this was dropped after local residents objected.

The next idea was the land behind the Victoria Hall which belongs to North Yorkshire County Council, but this is earmarked by the authority for work units.

PC Hargreaves tried the cricket club and Marshfield area next, but after consulting the landowner's agents this was also ruled out.

It was hoped there might be space at Settle High School next to the tennis courts, but this too was rejected.

"We were going to open a bank account for them so they could start fundraising, but there is no point getting any money together before we have a site.

"It is a shame because the kids just end up getting despondent," said PC Hargreaves.

Sixteen-year-old Scott Horsfall said he and his friends had nowhere to go except Settle Town Hall steps and the Market Place during the evenings.

"We have been kicked off everywhere. We need a bit of help in finding somewhere.

"If we could just find somewhere away from the cars where we wouldn't be a danger or a nuisance to anyone that would be great.

"There's about 30 to 40 of us altogether, mainly in-line skaters and bikers, not many skateboards, and there's people from Bentham as well who would come over," said the Settle High School pupil, who lives in Langcliffe.

A wheel park has been included in plans for the redevelopment of Bentham's Wenning Avenue playing fields and Scott and his friends have helped their Bentham pals raise money towards the facility.

"They have made videos, had trips and done all sorts. There's no reason why we couldn't do the same in Settle, if only we had a site," he said.

Anyone who can offer their help should contact the group via PC Hargreaves at Skipton Police Station on 01756 793377 or Settle High School on 01729 822451.