WORK has started on measures which will prevent skateboarders using a town centre bandstand for their fancy wheel tricks.

Councillors agreed last September to put up a fence around the bandstand, in St James' Street, Burnley, to deter skaters.

However concerns were raised about how a fence would look and the council said it would install a ridged surface around the bandstand steps and at the top and bottom of the ramp to stop skaters using it.

Barry Guttridge, Bank Hall ward councillor, said: "Tenders will be going to the executive next week to create a skatepark at Queens Park.

"CCTV tenders have also been included to ensure youngsters will be in a safe environment.

"I want to reassure youngsters that we haven't forgotten about them and we are hoping the work can be completed by the end of summer."

Burnley Council's director of development David Brown said: "A contractor was appointed for these works at the end of March.

"However, increases in material prices and the need to find alternative suppliers meant some delay in carrying out the work."

He said all the problems have now been resolved with work starting yesterday.

Council bosses said further measures may be installed if the new surface fails to deter the skateboarders.

The fencing scheme was expected to cost £6,500 and involve fencing off the whole of the bandstand, though final costings have not yet been published.

The call for more measures to remove the increasing numbers of skateboarders in that area, close to McDonald's, came amid fears from the council and shopkeepers about public safety.

The adoption of a by-law to control skateboarding in certain parts of the borough is another option being considered by the council.

The borough council's head of legal services is currently preparing a report on the possibility of bringing in a by-law.