SKATEBOARDERS banned from Bolton town centre under a new by-law are asking the council to reach a compromise on the issue.

From today, anyone caught skating in the town centre could receive a fine of up to £500 from magistrates.

But skateboarders say that the move is an "over-reaction" and are asking the council to place a curfew on skateboarding during busy periods of the day rather than banning the sport completely.

Council chiefs say the new rule is necessary to protect the public and the town's pavements from skaters.

The owners of Bones Skatepark, in Gilnow Lane, the town's only privately owned skateboard facility, say people using their skateboards as a means of transport could unwittingly find themselves breaking the law. They also worry that the ban could hit their business as people travelling to and from Bones Skatepark on their skateboards could be fined.

Skateboarder and partner in the business Terence Robinson said: "People using a skateboard to get about might not realise they are breaking the law, and could be slapped with a huge fine. It's ridiculous.

"In essence, it criminalises a relatively harmless recreational pastime which is massively popular among youngsters in Bolton."

Manager and owner Neil Whitcher added: "Our customers travelling to and from the bus and train stations could now be fined for nothing other than riding a skateboard. There are a tiny minority of people who own skateboards who have caused trouble."

Staff at Bones Skatepark are now collecting signatures on a petition.

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: "The new rule has been brought in because of near-miss collisions between boarders and members of the public and because of damage to stonework in Victoria Square - a curfew would only curtail these problems, not solve them. We would reiterate our wish that young people should use appropriate facilities for skateboarding and we are encouraging this by once again offering vouchers for free sessions at Bones during the summer."

The new bye-law affects:

All the area bounded by Moor Lane, Deansgate, Knowsley Street, St George's Road, Bridge Street, Churchgate, Mealhouse Lane, Hotel Street, Victoria Square, Newport Street, Wilson Street, Dawes Street, Howell Croft South and Ashburner Street.

All the area bounded by Exchange Street, Bowkers Row, Nelson Square, Infimary Street, Mawdsley Street, Cheapside Square, Back Cheapside and Victoria Square.

All of Victoria Square; Nelson Square; Cheapside Square.

All of Churchgate, Church Bank, St Peter's Churchyard and Silverwell Street between Churchgate and Princess Street.

All of Newport Street; Byng Street West; Bolton Interchange and Bolton Station Approach.