A DETERMINED in-line skater is leading a group of Preston schoolchildren in their bid for a skate park - at the tender age of just eight!

Ambitious Ben Hull is still at junior school but he's already enlisted the help of a councillor and gathered a petition to hand over to the local authority.

And, with a little help from his friends, Ben, of Bexhill Road, Ingol, is building a model of the park they want built in the town.

The children want somewhere safer to skate so they don't have to play in the streets where traffic is a constant danger and neighbours complain.

Ben, who goes to Holy Family RC School, said: "We've got 150 signatures and we'll get more. It's a sport that's becoming very well known.

"We skate in the streets but some neighbours don't like it, but it's not our fault. We just need somewhere to go."

The youngsters use facilities at Fulwood Leisure Centre but time is restricted to an hour a week. They want a park similar to ones already set up in Blackpool, Liverpool and Stockport.

They have the support of Councillor Bill Chadwick who has vowed to take their case to the council and help fight for funds, through sponsorship from local businesses or a Lottery bid.

Coun Chadwick said: "It's very important when young people take an interest that we're at least seen to look at their expectations. Preston deserves its own in-line skating park."

Ben and his friends will present their petition and model to the Deputy Mayor Coun Ron Marshall at Ingol Library IN Preston on February 3.

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