TOWN councillors have backed proposals to redevelop the town's skatepark - at the same time providing a new home for the indoor Trick Factory.

Members of the newly-formed skatepark steering group spoke out at Bridport Town Council's meeting on Tuesday (24) to plea for councillors to back the plans to incorporate the Trick Factory into an improved skatepark.

Joe Hewetson said: "We see it as an absolute necessity to have a provision like the Trick Factory in Bridport.

"The social impact will be quite noticeable. It was an incredibly important space. The general consensus is it needs to be revamped."

Youngster Charlie King left his own birthday party to speak at the meeting.

He said: "The 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo includes skateboarding. Bridport could be hiding the first gold medalist."

His mother Debbie King added her support for finding a new home for the Trick Factory.

She said: "It's just really important to us as well as them.

"It gets really popular and they really enjoy it. We knew where they were and it brought a lot of people there."

Town surveyor Daryl Chambers told the council that the steering group was looking for commitment, while town clerk Bob Gillis stated that the authority will be "reviewing its projects".

Cllr Maggie Ray, who also sits on the skatepark steering group, said: "I hope the town council will put its strength behind this project.

"It's a great opportunity for us. We know that we need some improvements in the skatepark as it is. It would make a very neat solution to some very difficult problems at the moment."

Town mayor Cllr Ros Kayes and council leader, Cllr Sarah Williams, spoke out in support of pushing through the project.

Jill Driscoll added her support to the skatepark as a grandmother.

She said: "I walk past the skatepark nearly every day. I love it and long may it continue. I hope they get their indoor building as well."

She added: "It would be wonderful to see some of our play areas in Bridport have some more updated equipment - they are looking a bit tired.

"They are wonderful but they could do with improving. There's a nasty bar on one of the equipment which is designed to catch a toddler on the head."

The town council has launched a public consultation on all its play areas and the skatepark. For more information, call 01308 456722.