USERS of a skate ramp which has been closed by the council are being urged to bid for funding for new equipment.

The skate ramp in Victoria Park, Haslingden, was removed this week for safety reasons, but the leader of the park’s friends group is urging youngsters to form a committee to get new equipment.

Chairman Rob Moss said: “If the youngsters can form themselves into a committee then there is plenty of funding that could be accessed to improve the facilities.

“They were not great before this ramp was taken away so they could definitely be improved, and there is funding out there for young people.

“A lot of the youngsters have to travel to use these sort of facilities and that isn’t fair, it would be a lot of easier if they were on the doorstep.”

The ramp was used by skateboarders and cyclists but was taken away after falling into a state of disrepair.

Rossendale Council is working on a scheme to improve play facilities in Victoria Park.

Paula Gaffey, of Anemone Drive, Helmshore, said the loss of the ramp was a disappointment to her son Daniel, 16, and his friends.

She said: “They’re all gutted about it, they used this ramp a lot. There are other facilities there but they aren’t great.

“They are all passionate about skating and cycling, I think a lot of people don’t see it as a sport and just categorise them as hoodies.

“They often travel to Clitheroe on the train to use better ramps there and the parents sometimes take them to good indoor facilities in Blackpool, Preston and Manchester, but it would be a lot easier if it was just around the corner.”