Calne is to get one of the best skateparks in the county following a decision to demolish the town’s old skate bowl and build new ramps and rails.

Howard Marshall, who represents the town on Wiltshire Council and Calne Town Council, has been the driving force behind the refurbishment project.

He said: “We were planning to just resurface the old bowl and then add an extra area but now we have been told by structural engineers that the existing construction isn’t strong enough and even if we did repairs to the concrete it would soon crack again.”

Now the council is to push ahead with a £240,000 scheme and Coun Marshall is determined it will be open in time for the school summer holidays.

He said: “Obviously building a new park will take longer than just revamping the old one but I think the work can be completed in about six to eight weeks and I definitely want it done in time for the holidays.

“The finished product will be much better than the old bowl and I think it will probably be the best skatepark in Wiltshire.”

Skateboarder Jake Brock, 19, has been using the bowl for a number of years and is on a fundraising committee.

He said: “I have a few mixed feelings about it being demolished but if it can be done and open by the summer holidays I think it will be a good thing.

“Hopefully it will be worth the wait.”

Fellow committee member Jordan Hyde, 17, said: “The plans sound good to me but we really need it to be open for the summer.”

The park. off Station Road, will include a ramp, half pipes, jumps and rails and the plans will be paid for by a mixture of grants and fundraising.

The town council already has £140,000 towards the cost and has applied to Viridor Credits and Sport England for more grants.