A project to create a new skate park in Plymouth has been given a major boost from the National Lottery.

Plymouth City Council has been working with young people to provide a tailor-made facility in Central Park.

The scheme includes ball sports, performance and seating areas and has just been awarded a £100,000 grant from Sport England, under the Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities Programme funded by the New Opportunities Fund.

The project will cost a total of £160,000, with the rest of the money coming from Plymouth City Council and the young people themselves. Work is now set to begin in February and the park will be open in the summer.

Young people have been campaigning for this type of facility in Plymouth for many years and will soon be able to practice their sport in a local, purpose-built, safe environment where they will not come into conflict with other members of the community.

Councillor Peter Smith, Portfolio Holder for Sports, Leisure and Culture, said: 'We are absolutely delighted that we are getting Lottery funding for the new skate park.

'The young people who have worked closely with the Council on both the funding application and designing the facility should be commended. I'm really pleased that everyone's hard work has paid off and that we will soon have this fantastic new facility for young people to enjoy.'

Alun Lowe, Sport England Regional Green Spaces Development Manager for the South West, added: 'Sport England's role is all about supporting sporting activities at the grass roots - and that's exactly what the Green Spaces Programme is all about.

'We were really impressed with Plymouth City Council's bid for Central Park. It was clear that the youth park was a much needed facility with support from young people in the city and that's why we have made substantial Lottery funds available.'

Planning permission was recently granted for the park, which will be next to the car park serving the Mayflower Centre and the swimming pool.

More than 100 young people recently commented on alternative designs for the park put forward by nationally-recognised skate park builders.

Public opinion favoured the submission by Blakedown Landscapes Ltd and the Council has agreed to appoint the company to turn the youngsters' dreams into reality. The plans for the park are now being altered to take into account comments raised during the consultation exercise.

A competition is being held to find a name for the park. Suggestions should be sent to Implementation Unit, Plymouth City Council, Civic Centre, Plymouth, PL1 2EW, emailed to rampforum@plymouth.gov.uk or handed in at Flatspot by Monday 17 February.

A Flatspot goodie-bag is up for grabs and the winning name will be used on promotional material and incorporated into graffiti artwork on the skate 'bowl'.

The Council also wants to hear from anyone who would like to get involved in the opening party.

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