YOUNGSTERS in Preston are going to miss out on a massive music and skateboarding bash because the city's own venue is not up to scratch.

Skateboarder Carl Arnfield, 36, had organised the mammoth event and planned to hold it at the city's only skate park, The Grind, at Southgate Mill, North Road.

But the not-for-profit venue, which is run entirely on donations, has no public entertainment licence and, council chiefs claim, is unlikely to pass health and safety requirements.

It means the bands Carl has lined up would not be allowed to perform on the day.

Now Carl, who runs a business in Bamber Bridge, plans to stage the event at Britain's biggest skateboard park Epic, in Birmingham.

But the move will mean hundreds of local enthusiasts will not be able to attend the event which could include an appearance from ace American skateboarders Z Boyz.

Skate magazine Sidewalk are sponsoring the event and boarders from up and down the country are expected to attend.

Carl, who plays guitar and keyboards with the band Worm, will be performing at the event this Autumn.

"It's a shame," said Carl, who lives in Adlington. "Preston means a lot to us but we aren't able to perform there. It would be great if we could.

"The local kids are missing out."

But Preston City Council licensing officer, Dave Lea, said Preston's 'ramshackle' skateboarding venue would probably fail to meet safety requirements from the fire service, police and environmental health.

Regulations would require the venue to have fire alarm certificates and escape routes.

"I suspect that if they spent some money on the building it would pass health and safety regulations," he added.

"Licensing is a vague area. At the moment you're allowed to have a maximum of two people performing but any more than that and you need a licence."

Penny Mercer, who runs The Grind, said she is constantly battling for funding to keep the venue open for youngsters.

"We have tried to get funding from everybody," she said. "People don't seem to recognise skateboarding as a valuable part of youth culture.

"If we had funding to renovate the place we would attract youngsters to the city and the young people of today are the older people of tomorrow.

"Carl has organised this amazing event and I can't believe he has to put it on in Birmingham"