LOCAL skateboarders are hoping money seized from convicted drug dealers will be heading to Lancaster to fund a skate park.

A bid has been put in by the council to win money from the Government's 'Recovered Asset Fund,' which is made up of goods and money seized during drugs raids.

The authority wants £83,000 towards the cost of a skate park with ramps for local skateboarders and skaters.

One suggested site for the park is Green Ayre near Kingsway next to the River Lune.

The total cost of the bid is £ 106,450 and the Council is hoping to hear if they have secured funds within two months.

The idea for a skate park was first mooted in the Citizen two years ago and momentum has built up locally to offer teenage skaters somewhere to go.

The Council has already received a private planning application for a skateboarding facility on North Road next to Green Ayre and a new skate park next to this could provide impressive facilities for the area.

Street skaters have been consulted about what they would like to see in a skate park and youth and community groups have also been involved in the process.

A council spokesman confirmed that a scheme had been drawn up and costed for Green Ayre and that they were waiting to see if their bid to the Recovered Assets Fund is successful.

If the Government grants the money the council has said it will review all possible sites in the district to make best use of the facility.