A new half-million-pound skate park in Keighley will become a centre for youth culture.

Regeneration chiefs last week granted £100,000 to help set up the ambitious Urban Zoo project near the town centre.

The zoo will provide space for skateboarders and in-line skaters, as well as a place to hone DJ-ing and graffiti skills.

It will also offer training courses and a skater's caf at its base in and around Abbey House, on Great Northern Road, off Coney Lane.

It will keep the skaters away from using public places where they currently annoy town centre shopkeepers, local residents and police.

Urban Zoo will cost £447,666 to set up and run in its first year, with most of the cash coming from private trusts, fundraising and admissions.

The park is expected to raise at least £107,000 in each of the following two years from the same sources.

Board members of Keighley Single Regeneration Budget approved last week's grant after hearing how the zoo would provide a safe and legal environment for youth activities.

It aims to break down territorial and social barriers between people, aged 10 to 24, while offering them an alternative to criminal activities.

The centre would be run by a committee of young people and youth workers, who would organise national competitions to raise the profile of Keighley.

Involved in the project would be youngsters from Keighley Central Youth Club, the Bracken Bank-based South Ward Youth Project and local groups of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

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