MORE than 1,200 people have signed on to a Facebook campaign to save Bridport’s indoor BMX skatepark.

Generations of children who have enjoyed using the Trick Factory rallied to support it inside two days.

The skatepark – set up by Robert Ridge 10 years ago on the St Michael’s Trading Estate – could close if redevelopment of the trading estate gets the go-head.

Guantanamo Bay lawyer Clive Stafford Smith is spearheading the battle backed by hundreds of young supporters who will be in Bucky Doo Square on Saturday with cameras asking people to join their photo petition.

There will also be a five-minute film showing what happens in the factory playing continuously in the arts centre from noon.

The youngsters say without the Trick Factory they would have nowhere to go and would be getting into trouble.

Many are pictured on Facebook holding signs saying without Mr Ridge and his devotion they would be taking drugs, getting pregnant, playing ‘chicken’ in the streets or taking pot shots at cars with BB guns.

Mr Smith said: “After the £180,000 skatepark was built in Dorchester anti-social crime went down significantly. Mr Ridge has helped and inspired not hundreds but thousands of kids. Whole generations of children in Bridport have looked up to him, calling him their idol and mentor.

“For many of those children he would be the only man in their lives and he has done it quietly for no money and without fuss for ten and a half years, five days a week. The man is a saint.”

Mr Smith is currently getting the Trick Factory registered as a charity, which he hopes will mean it no longer has to find money to pay business rates. Mr Ridge said: “We have not actually been given notice yet.

“The architect and the landlord have said they are concerned about the safety of the building and a fire officer has inspected us.

“There were recommendations but they have allowed us to remain in place.

“But we are trying to turn it into a positive and it has kickstarted this campaign.

“As far as I understand the building we are in, also known as the Stover building, is earmarked to have a block of flats put in its place.

“A lot of it hinges on the appeal on January 26 but we want to look on it positively.

“It is quite humbling that so many people have rallied to the cause in support of it.”

No-one from site owners Haywards was available for comment.