Ilkley'S in-line skaters must not have their hopes shattered by 'negative' councillors, it has been claimed.

While the search goes on to find a suitable area for in-line skaters and skateboaders in the town, Coun Caroline Jones said the needs of the young should not be ignored.

Parish clerk Miggy Bailey and several councillors favour a 'humps and bumps' scheme in the Riverside Gardens.

Bradford Council does not favour the site but its alternative suggestion at the Warehouse, Little Lane, has been dismissed as impractical by Ilkley parish councillors.

Coun Caroline Jones (Lib Dem, Holme) said it was time to think positively and not just look for the negative answer.

She said: "The way we treat young people is how they end up losing respect for their elders."

"We must stop just being negative. We must stop finding reasons not to do things for children," she said.

"Too often when children reach the age of ten we find reasons to deny them facilities," said Coun Jones.

While Coun Jones believes in pressing forward, other colleagues urged a note of caution at Monday evening's Ilkley Parish Council meeting.

Coun Lexa Robinson (Con, Ilkley North) said she had been asked by several residents to point out the Riverside Gardens was a memorial garden. She asked how much noise skating would create.

Coun Barbara Cussons (Con, Ilkley North) said she had been contacted by Alexandra Crescent residents, bitterly opposed to having skating facilities on their doorstep.

Following the meeting, district councillor Anne Hawkesworth said she feared skating and skateboarding could be a 'here today and gone tomorrow' fad. She is concerned an abandoned skating area could merely serve as a gathering point for youths.

Despite the reservations about the site, Mrs Bailey believes it is the best option. "It is no good providing the site somewhere like East Holmes Field. I wouldn't let my children go there unsupervised. The Riverside Gardens already has a children's play area, with adults around," she said.

Mrs Bailey will meet Bradford Council officials shortly to try and ensure a successful outcome.

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