THE skateboarding youngsters of Looe and district could be off the streets by the end of November, and enjoying their hobby in the safety of a specially designated area for the winter.

Thanks to co-ordination by the Looe Youth Action group and their own enthusiastic efforts, which included speaking to officers at Caradon, they have been offered a substantial part of the Millpool car park for the next six months.

Councillors at a special meeting of Looe town council on Monday, agreed to act as the licensing agency on behalf of LYA, and expressed the hope the youngsters would make full use of the facility offered.

They hoped it would bring to an end the confrontation between the youngsters and pedestrians and traffic, there being regular complaints about the dangers of skateboarding in the streets.

Youth worker Annie Gooden says it is hoped some equipment can be put into place for the youngsters to practice their jumps and other movements, but that it will be only temporary, as is the skateboarding area.

'Looe Youth Action is still continuing the search and raising funds for a multi purpose facility for the town's young people' she said.

Annie, who is coming to the end of her job as County Youth Worker for Looe and Liskeard, as she is to be Youth Mentoring Co-ordinator for the Plymouth Youth Enquiry Service, says the she has thoroughly enjoyed her three years working in the area.

'There are some great kids' she said, 'and I particularly want to praise the support and close association between LYA and Looe Community School.' Deputy head Tom Saddler is LYA's chairman.