THERE has been some strange goings on in Skipton over recent weeks with mysterious holes appearing in three of the town's recreation grounds!

When a gardener came to cut the grass at Pasture Close, he was puzzled to see that a chunk of the newly laid turf was missing.

At Raikes Road a concerned resident contacted the council to report that a grave sized hole had appeared in the corner of the recreation ground.

Finally at Bold Venture residents are bewildered by the third hole which has been cut into the perimeter fencing.

The mysterious happenings have been blamed, not on aliens intent on destroying the council's work to improve Skipton's playgrounds, but on thieves and vandals who cannot stand to leave other people's property alone.

More seriously, residents in Broughton Road have said they are fed up with youths congregating in Broughton Road recreation ground and using the seats and slides to cycle and skate board on.

One resident branded the teenagers "hooligans", and said they were frightening people living nearby as they jumped over fences into gardens to retrieve their ball.

He added that they had crushed the bins and thrown them around and had paid no attention to police warnings.

At Skipton Town Council's safety and amenities meeting this week,Coun Polly English said she had been called to the playground one evening to speak to the youths.

"They were very rude and very cheeky, and were difficult," said Coun English.

She added that she had managed to get them out of the playground that evening but did not think they would stay away.

The police have been asked to keep an eye on the recreation ground when they have a patrol car in the area.

The council did not dismiss the idea of putting a security camera in the ground and have asked the incoming safety and amenities committee to implement by-laws to keep the over 12s out.

On a more positive note, some of the playgrounds should get new play equipment in time for the summer holidays.

The council wants to install two junior swings, new matting for the football goal mouths and a dog run at Shortbank Close. This will cost about £9,000.

Coun Paul English said: "Can we press on with this straight away. It needs to be in time for the school holidays, not October when the dark nights are drawing in?"

The committee is also seeking urgent approval from the finance committee to go ahead with two climbing frames with slides, one small and one large, at Burnside recreation ground and painted games on the playground at Lytham Close.

At Bold Venture, a £1,198 dog run and fencing are being installed to try to keep the land clear of dog mess before putting play equipment on there.

The Regent Challenge Group at Pasture Close is into the final phase of its work and the group is still busy fundraising. The council has agreed to give matched funding of up to £2,000 for new matting in the football goal mouths.

Local residents are getting behind the plans to build an adventure type playground at Raikes Road. A residents' group is in its infancy but looks like being formed over the coming weeks.

Finally, the North Parade residents' group is waiting to hear from Yorventure as to whether it will contribute financially towards an all weather football pitch. Members of the council also agreed to meet the group to look at other problems with litter and unlit paths at Middletown.