A LONG-running skateboard saga has resurfaced with the revival of plans for a dedicated site for enthusiasts.

About 50 youngsters packed a Northallerton Town Council meeting to press their case for a permanent base for their sport.

The youngsters use the car-park in the Applegarth, with the permission of Hambleton District Council, but that was only meant to be temporary.

They would prefer to use the bonfire site, also on the Applegarth, which is only used for the annual fireworks celebrations in November.

But the town council has decided to revive a scheme first drawn up three years ago, for a skateboard area in the Bullamoor Memorial park.

The Bullamoor plan was the result of a lobby of the town council by skateboarders.

A committee was set up at the time to further the plan. The youngsters started a fundraising drive and the council agreed to provide a special surface, which was done, with the help of a local contractor, at a cost of £6,000.

But the district council, which leases the site to the town, refused to allow the town council sub-let it.

Such a move had been seen as vital in helping the skateboarding committee win cash grants for their project, so no further progress has been made, although the site is available for skateboarding.

Following the latest approach from local skaters, the town council is making a new approach to Hambleton for permission to issue a sub-lease for the Bullamoor site.

Deputy mayor Jack Dobson said: "It was the town council that first tried to help local skateboarders get a site of their own after their requests had been turned down elsewhere. We are still committed to developing a site for them and believe Bullamoor is the best option.

"We need Hambleton's approval for a sub-lease.