BOARDERS, bladers and skaters will get prime, centralised facilities for their sports which have stood the test of time.

Over the past 10 years, the wooden half-pipe at Walmesley Park, midway between Hindley and Ince Bar, has been an attraction for hordes of skaters from across the borough.

Now plans are in hand to upgrade the park with new ramps, rails and equipment replacing the half-pipe which, 10 years ago, critics said was doomed to failure.

Alan Woods, founder member of SWAG (Wigan Skateboard Action Group), said: "I was involved 10 years ago when Wigan Metro put two wooden half-pipes on the park. Many said they wouldn't last long but they have, and hundreds of skaters from a wide area have visited the park. We're now looking to develop something similar on the same site and have been looking at a number of options for funding such a scheme."

SWAG and Wigan Council are bidding for cash to develop boarding, blading and extreme sports at Walmesley park and other sites boroughwide, in response to demands from youngsters.

Mike Farrar, of the Council's leisure and cultural services department, said: "We know these types of facility give young people a safe place to develop skills, socialise and ultimately do something positive.

"Many people say this is just a passing trend but skateboarding started in the late 50s and is still here and as big as ever."