A SKATEPARK could be built as part of a proposed £100,000 youth zone in Blackrod.

Spare land at Blackrod Football Club, off Half Acre Lane, has been earmarked as the best place for new youth facilities.

They could include a skateboard and BMX park and a shelter for youngsters.

A sub-committee of Blackrod Town Council, set up to investigate the options for a new recreation area, has submitted its findings to Bolton Council.

Committee member Cllr Isabel Seddon said the original plan was for a multi-purpose area, which would be fenced off and have a track around it.

But she said the estimated cost came out at more than £100,000 and added: "We may need to scale down our initial aspirations."

The report has been handed to Cllr Martyn Cox, Bolton Councils executive member for children's services.

Blackrod Village Association, which also wants new youth facilities, has now been brought in to apply for funding from the National Lottery's Community Fund. The Village Association will meet Blackrod Town Council to discuss its ideas before putting in the application.

John Timms, chairman of Blackrod Village Association, said: "Our plans are similar but we would also like a five-a-side pitch, which could also be used as a basketball court."

Blackrod Football Club which currently uses the land and sub-lets it from Bolton Council, has supported the idea in principle.

It is thought the new youth area would be about the third of the size of a football pitch.