PROPOSALS to introduce a system of charging at a popular skate park have failed to get off the ground following council opposition.

Clitheroe skate park opened in the castle grounds in April 2006 but control of the site was handed to the Oasis Trust earlier this year.

The trust is also responsible for the development of the Grand Cinema in York Street, Clitheroe, and wanted to introduce a voluntary membership scheme for people using the skate park.

And while trust organisers stressed its voluntary status, they were proposing an annual membership fee of £40 that would have closed the park to non-members one night a week.

Members of Ribble Valley Council's community committee voted against proposals to bring in the membership scheme therefore enabling the skate park to remain free of charge to all users.

Coun Mary Robinson, who represents the Primrose ward in Clitheroe, was voted on to the skate park forum at the meeting in Clitheroe this week and will work alongside Oasis to make decisions regarding the future of park.

David Wilson, of the Oasis Trust, said they would be looking for alternative ways to raise revenue for the park.

He said: "We lease the land off the council and they have turned our proposal down.

"We believe in young people taking ownership of the park and taking care of its maintenance, that's why we proposed the voluntary membership scheme.

"There are certain costs we need to cover and we will now be looking at our options."