TEENAGERS' dreams of a skate park in their community have moved a little closer to reality as the age divide is being bridged in Kirkby Stephen.

The Kirkby Stephen Extreme Sports Association is a group of dozens of members who have raised more than £1,000 towards the skatepark, which could cost £50,000.

Organiser Jenny Morgan, of Appleby-in-Westmorland, said it would be of great benefit to the area's young people: "It will give the young people an activity they can access at any time out of school hours."

She said the site they had found was on the football field next to the mountain rescue base.

The skatepark move is part of several changes in the town that are bringing the different generations of residents closer together.

She added: "It could even bring tourism, as children have to travel to enjoy skateboarding facilities."

The town's policeman, PC Roly Earl, said a skate park would be a fantastic thing, adding relations between the town's generations, which have at times been troubled, were set to improve: "The time appears to be right for a change."

PC Earl has worked hard to promote understanding between the community and its young people, and set up a group called Youth Matters, comprised of both adults and teenagers.

Vice chairman of the town council Joan Johnstone, who attended the meeting, said the teenagers simply wanted a space to call their own.

"They don't want to be organised, they just want to sit and talk to their friends but there was an emphasis on more use of the sports facilities (at the grammar school)."

Coun Colin Albon suggested young people could even be encouraged to sit on the town council to put forward their views more effectively.

The town's forum has put in for funding to get a youth worker dedicated to the town and also expressed an interest in using the Old School House.

A survey to determine the level of support for a youth project in Kirkby Stephen gathered 120 young people's backing.