Children battling for a skateboard park in the village have achieved their goal.

At least £30,000 is to be spent on a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose games area and a skateboard and in-line skating park in Cottingley.

A group of youngsters, aged 11 to 16, handed a 350-signature petition for a new play area to the Shipley Area Panel in October last year.

Now funding has been secured, with most of the cash coming from developer Morris Homes which is planning to build houses off Cottingley Moor Road and has agreed to give money to community projects. The shortfall is expected to be made up from Council grants.

The group's spokesman, Karl Hellens, said they were fed up of having nowhere to use their skateboards.

"People are always moving us off The Parade but there are no hard surfaces where we can play without annoying people," said the 12-year-old Bingley Grammar School pupil.

"It's great news and we can't wait to see the park finished."

He hopes to help the Council design the park, planned for the recreation ground in Manor Road. It will include ditches, known as 'pools', and ramps.

Barry Tinker, the Council's senior outdoor recreation manager, said the multi-purpose games area would include goalposts and basketball hoops. "We are in a position where we can move this forward and apply for planning permission as long as we know that this is what people in the village want," he said.

Mr Tinker hoped the park would be ready by the end of summer.

The young people's initiative was applauded by residents and ward councillors at the village's neighbourhood forum meeting.

Freda Dunn, a member of the Cottingley Community Association, said it was about time the young people had some facilities.

"I've lived here for 40 years and it's something we've always wanted," she said.