PLANS to create the largest skate park of its kind in the UK are on target.

A £100,000 contribution from the SITA Environment Trust, which distributes cash from the Government's landfill tax credit scheme, means the Prissick Plaza, in Middlesbrough, has almost reached its £450,000 target.

Paul Rabbitts, development manager for Middlesbrough Council, said: "There is a need for this fantastic facility and now we are much closer to making it happen."

Youngsters came up with the idea for the plaza, which will be built on the site of former tennis courts at Prissick Sport and Recreation Centre, in the town's Marton Road.

The skate park is expected to attract thousands of visitors once it opens in August.

The council asked the town's youngsters what facilities they wanted and in response will build a skate park replicating the streetscape favoured by skaters and BMX users.

Councillor Barry Coppinger, the council's executive member for community safety and leisure, said: "We have worked closely with skaters to develop a facility to meet their needs, which will have regional and national prominence as a centre of excellence."