A SKATEBOARD expert has warned Darlington Borough Council its plans to build a skate park are inadequate.

Paul Naisbitt, 30, who runs Urban Chaos on Duke Street, said the scheme to install a £60,000 facility at South Park in the town does not match the needs of the sport.

Mr Naisbitt has been involved in talks with the council about what features the park will have, but is not satisfied.

He said young people asked for a modern basin-type facility so they can perform tricks and stunts.

But he said the authority was suggesting small quarter-pipe ramps, which he feels would not be appropriate.

Mr Naisbitt, who sells skating and snowboarding equipment to extreme sports enthusiasts and travels the country visiting skate parks, said: "They want a concrete bowl and a half-pipe so they can do proper tricks, and what they are being offered is inadequate.

"They are talking about using wood and no one will want to use it.

"It is totally the wrong material."

"Vandals will just set fire to it, so it is only going to make anti-social behaviour worse."

Darlington Borough Council wants to offer young people a permanent skate park to tackle the problem of skaters near the town hall, in supermarket car parks and at schools in the borough.

Mr Naibitt said: "They asked me if I wanted to sponsor it but, to be honest, I would be a laughing stock and embarrassed to put my name to it.

"We would rather they did nothing because, if they go ahead and it is a flop, they will be reluctant to do anything in the future."

Darlington council said no decision had been made about what features the skate park would have or where it would be located.

It has planning permission for a site opposite the junction of Loraine Crescent, on Parkside, but is considering other sites.

A council spokesman said: "We have gone to great lengths to ensure the young people have their say on skateboard facilities in Darlington.

"Last year, we held a series of skateboard events and the people who attended shared their views on the kind of facilities in the town.

"Regardless of what it is made of, it will be covered by CCTV and monitored round the clock to deter vandals."