A COMPANY is hoping it can get children off the streets with a new £20,000 skateboard and BMX indoor arena.

And one of the men behind the idea has revealed how it was his own son and grandson's moans about the lack of facilities that spurred his company on to come up with the idea of a new private facility.

The scheme still has to get past councillors -- who are worried over the lack of parking facilities at the arena.

Gillibrand Mill, Hollins Grove Street, Darwen, is applying to turn 9,000 sq ft space into a purpose-built, professionally designed area for skateboarders, BMX riders and inline skaters.

Terence Sentance runs Conway Fabrications at the mill and is financing the scheme, which has an initial cost of £20,000. He said: "This will be a very important development for Darwen. The nearest indoor skate park is about 15 miles away on the other side of Bolton and people have been known to travel hundreds of miles to use facilities like this."

He also said the park will feature a number of different facilities, including half-pipes, bowls which are sunk into the floor and street courses for skaters to 'grind' along rails.

There will also be cafe facilites and a seating area so parents can watch their children.

The whole idea came about after Mr Sentance's partner in this venture, Mick Ledder, heard his son and grandson bemoaning the lack of facilties in Darwen and Blackburn.

"Anyone who wants to do anything like this has to make do with a car park or other public place, which means they are branded a nuisance," said Mick.

"I approached Terence with the idea and he was in favour and my sons have been coming back to me saying all their friends are looking forward to it opening."

The process to research other such facilities has seen both Terance and Mick visit centres all around the North West.

The park is going to be designed by John Dye, a professional BMX rider who has designed courses before. He is going to make a visit to Gillibrand Mill in the next week and then set about coming up with a layout for the park.

However, the plan is likely to meet opposition from councillors and residents, who cited problems over parking and access.

Councillor Simon Danczuk, whose Percival Street home is close by, said: "Parking in that area is congested at the best of times, but this new development will only add to the problem. Even though I am in favour of the concept, as it will take children off the streets, I am minded to oppose it on the grounds of location."

A public meeting has been organised at Gillibrand Mill at 10.30am tomorrow. The planning application will go before Blackburn with Darwen Council's planning committee, but Mr Sentance said he would like to see the park open before the school holidays in July.