SETTLE landowners willing to sell a small patch of land could make teenagers' dreams come true.

Enthusiastic skaters have lift-off with their appeal for a skate park in Settle after the town council pledged £5,000 to the scheme, which is backed by Settle police and the Cellar youth centre.

But the youngsters still have nowhere to build the facility, despite needing a patch of land just half the size of a tennis court.

The skate park would include ramps enabling cyclists, inline skaters and skateboarders to safely practice "Misty Flips", "360 grinds" and spins without antagonising pedestrians or motorists.

Skater Daniel Harrison, 14, of Rathmell said: "We have been to Booths' car park and to the schools, but people aren't happy about us being there. We want somewhere to go where we aren't bothering anyone."

Fellow skater James Dutton, also 14, of Settle, said the skate park would offer teenagers somewhere to go and would "keep us off the streets".

James and Daniel have both been skating for two years and have perfected their technique, mastering leaps and jumps. In America there are major competitions for skaters and the activity involves a high degree of skill, energy and balance.

District youth worker Sean Whittle is backing the skate park bid.

"The police and parents are behind us," he said. "We have got £5,000 and are hoping to apply for further funding. We have all this enthusiasm, but nowhere to put it.

"It is not a large amount of land we are looking for, but it does need to be somewhere central so it is accessible."

The young skaters have attended meetings of Settle Town Council to discuss the skate park and a committee has been formed, made up of both adults and children, to try and drive the project forward.

Possible sites including the railway arches next to Whitefriars garage, land to the rear of the Victoria Hall and the Marshfield area have all been ruled out due to objections from residents or landowners. Anyone who can help is asked to contact Sean Whittle at Settle High School on 01729 822451 or the Herald on 01756 794117.