RESIDENTS fighting to reclaim their park from drug users and anti-social behaviour on a night are pinning their hopes on an illuminating answer.

Pressure group the Friends of Hall Park (FoHP) are hoping to increase safety in Hall Park by introducing lighting around the skateboard park and down the main pathway leading from Fink Hill.

It follows a series of vandalism attacks on Hall Park Cricket Club's pavilion and general concerns for people's safety in the park at night which have prompted calls that the area has become a 'no-go' area after dark.

David Read, FoHP chairman, said the proposals are only at a very early stage, but is anxious to improve park safety.

"A very small minority of the kids have apparently been making a

nuisance of themselves by vandalising the cricket club, but we also have to think about their safety as well.

"The nearest power source is at Fink Hill car park, so we propose

routing it from there.

"It would cost about £8,000 in total to do both the skating area and

possibly the path but we could access various pots of money and do

something with the cricket club."

The idea has been welcomed by some of the youngsters who use the skateboard park, who say the area acts as a magnet for troublemakers.

One skater, 14-year-old Michael Brooksbank, said: "I've been hassled by older lads when I've been here on a night and I know a lad who got attacked a few months ago. Lights

will make it a lot safer because you won't get all the idiots around here then."

And Karl Lamb, aged 13, added: "Lights would make me feel safer.

It's not very nice around here at night."

Other long-term FoHP plans to increase safety include employing a park who would also increase and maintain a number of activities in the park.

*Meanwhile, FoHP's idea to turn part of the park's toilets into a drop in centre for youngsters has been given a cold reception by the town council, following concerns about its close proximity to a restaurant and the supervision of children.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.