RESIDENTS of Ilkley wanting to clear out their old Christmas trees are being asked to help a fundraising drive for a skate park.

On Saturday and Sunday, teams of volunteers equipped with vans aim to rid the Ilkley area of its unwanted Christmas trees, and kick off the fundraising for skate park charity Pipedream.

Pipedream is organising the Christmas tree collection service as the first part of its drive to raise the £55,000 needed to build a skate park next to Ilkley Rugby Club - hopefully in time for Easter. Residents will be asked to make a £10 donation in exchange for having their tree collected and disposed of by the charity.

The planned skate park will stand next to the riverside, and consist of a number of ramps and obstacles made from a material designed specially for skateboarding.

These can be adjusted once in place at the park.

Since gaining the support of Ilkley Parish Council, Pipedream finance committee members William Whitaker and Hugh Brumfitt have worked on a campaign to raise the money needed for the skate park.

As well as the Christmas tree collection scheme, they are asking for donations from Ilkley people and businesses, and are working on a timetable of fundraising events.

The skate park is hoped to give teenagers and children a safer place to play than the streets of Ilkley, and organisers feel the site is not too far from the town centre.

Pipedream previously gained planning permission to build an all-concrete skate park at the Middleton Recreation Ground, but members felt that this would be too costly, and would be too isolated.

Following talks with Bradford Council, Pipedream applied to build a skate park on a former tennis court at the Middleton Avenue end of the recreation ground - but this was opposed by nearby residents. Council officers, members of Pipedream and police later agreed that the latest site, off new Brook Street, is the most suitable.

They are awaiting planning permission from Bradford Council.

Anyone who would like to get rid of their Christmas tree this weekend and at the same time contribute towards new facilities for Ilkley's young people, is asked to call (07760) 162866 or (07801) 340384.