HUNDREDS of residents in Pendle have signed a petition to try to get a former warehouse turned into a skate park and internet cafe.

A group, which calls itself Skate has launched a campaign to transform the property at Unit 1 Lodge Holme, Skipton Road, Trawden, into a skate park used also for bikes and rollerblades. It would also feature a chill-out zone and internet cafe.

The group is the third in seven years to propose the idea of a skate park in the village.

A petition with 470 names in favour of the skate park was presented to the parish council at a meeting on Monday night.

Barry Hodgson, Chairman of Trawden Parish Council, said: “A group of parents approached us back in November about turning the site into a skate park for somewhere for children to play safely.

"The group is due to submit a planning application to Pendle Council in the coming months but at the moment they are trying to iron out any issues that may see it being rejected.

“The parish council is backing the skate park by helping point them in the right direction.”

However a number of residents expressed concern at the meeting about the idea claiming that it could increase anti-social behaviour in the area.

Mr Hodgson added: “The idea is that their behaviour will be closely monitored. One idea is that children will have to become members and if they misbehave or are known to be causing a nuisance on their way to and from the club they would be stopped from being able to use it.”

A Facebook group has been set up by Skate which has a statement on that reads: “It has become apparent that this type of recreational activity has taken the youngsters by storm, but unfortunately there is nowhere locally for them to achieve their goals in this area.”

The skate park would be open various hours, seven days a week and would be aimed at providing a safe and controlled environment for young people aged eight to 16 according to the group.