SKATEBOARDERS and parents are joining forces to call for Hartlepool's first indoor skate park.

They believe a safe, supervised facility for the town's large skateboarding community should be made a priority by Hartlepool Borough Council after it agreed to introduce a new by-law outlawing skateboarding in public.

The Hartlepool SkateBoard Association and the parents' of skaters are holding a public meeting tonight at The Grand Hotel, Raby Road, Hartlepool, at 6.30pm.

Tanya Hall, whose 15-year-old son, Richard, was stabbed as he skated at the outdoor skate park at Mill House, is one of the parents supporting the campaign. He has since recovered from his injuries, which were not life-threatening.

Mrs Hall said: "The council has banned skateboarding in public places such as Victory Square so the only alternative is the Mill House facility.

"But it's just not safe without proper supervision. There's too many people who go there purely to cause trouble so the skaters will just go back on the streets.

"What we need is a large indoor facility which is properly supervised and managed."

The council introduced its by-law last month with skateboarders who flout the ban given formal warnings which, if ignored, could result in court appearances and fines of up to £500.

The meeting, which has been organised by the Hartlepool Community Network, is open to all skaters, their families and friends.