SKATEBOARDERS could see their dream of a facility in their town being realised as plans for a skate park shape up.

In Looe the drive to create a skate park first began almost 20 years ago.

Some of the original campaigners have since become parents of young skateboarders themselves.

Now, after a few false starts and a project at the Millpool which had to be mothballed, it looks as if the plan may finally come together – at a new location near the Barbican.

And with skateboarding to be recognised as an Olympic sport at the Tokyo Games in 2020, the Looe Development Trust hopes that youngsters in the town will be inspired.

Following the generous offer of land from St Martin’s Parish Church, the trust is working with local skaters and design company Maverick Industries to provide a high-quality park.

Pre-application plans have been submitted to Cornwall Council for advice.

The facility would be situated on a field behind the church hall.

‘It is early days, but initial conversations in the town, a positive sound test, and a starter grant from the Co-op Community Fund all indicate that the proposed skate park is broadly supported,’ said a trust spokesperson.

‘If a full planning application is successful, along with raising the necessary funds, we would hope to have the facility up and running during 2018.

‘The International Olympic Committee have approved skateboarding as an official sport and in Tokyo 2020, it will take its place alongside BMX as an Olympic event,’ the Trust continued.

‘Who knows – could the next Olympic gold medallist come from Looe?’