YOUNG riders in Barnoldswick are taking the lead in establishing a wheel park for the town.

The new facility would cater for all kinds of wheeled activities - mainly BMX and mountain bike riding, but also skateboarding, inline skating and scooters.

The need for the new purpose-built facility emerged at a recent public meeting to consider developing new facilities and improving existing ones at Victory Park.

By far the biggest group at the meeting were the young bike riders, who said they had nowhere to go for their hobby and were forever being moved on by the police or told off for riding where they shouldn't.

They wanted a proper facility and were keen to get involved with developing one, whether in drawing up plans, raising cash or actually doing the work.

The wider plans to develop the park could take years and will need substantial funding from the National Lottery.

But it was clear at the meeting that the young bikers needed something soon, and already had a site in mind.

They want to use the old, run-down and little-used crazy golf course at the park.

It is already used by bikers and skaters but, at over 1,000 square metres, could be developed into a good facility at relatively small cost.

On Wednesday, an informal site meeting was called to consider options for the new wheel park and look at how it can be achieved as soon as possible.

Around 20 young people turned up, full of ideas for the wheel park.

There was general agreement it should be along the lines of a trials track around the perimeter, plus other equipment dotted around the site.

Some of the youngsters had drawn up a detailed design plan, while others had made a 3D model.

Pupils at Church School had also been busy drawing up designs and it was agreed to take the best ideas and most popular elements from all of them.

Town councillor John Broughton stressed it was important to incorporate something for all ages.

Also there to help move things forward were Barnoldswick councillor David Whipp and Pendle Council's parks manager Colin Patten.

Ideas for equipment on the site included bankings, ramps, boulders, logs, half-pipes, drums and other obstacles.

Another idea was to involve local professional rider Chris Akrigg in designing the facility. He is sponsored by Barnoldswick-based Hope Engineering, which manufactures specialist components such as disc brakes for mountain bikes.

To their credit, the youngsters realised the new wheel park wouldn't just appear for them and there would be a lot of work involved.

But Mr Patten was confident there was a good sub-surface to the crazy golf area and much of the equipment, such as logs and boulders, could be provided at minimal cost.

An idea emerged to have a "Victory Wheelie Challenge" sometime in the summer, similar to the "Challenge Anneka" TV programme.

Coun Whipp explained: "A week, or perhaps two consecutive weekends, could be set aside when we would move heaven and earth to get this thing built.

"We would want to involve local firms, getting them to donate equipment, machinery or expertise, and rope in lots of local people to help do the work, including the youngsters."

He added that the wheel park would benefit the whole community, giving young people somewhere exciting to go for their hobbies and taking them off the streets and other public areas, where there had been some problems.

For fundraising, the youngsters were planning to hold a stall at the Barlick Bugs event, planned for June 23, and a sponsored bike ride in Victory Park the following day.

When Pendle Council's West Craven committee met this week, members agreed in principle to give whatever financial backing they could to the scheme.