THE campaign to build a new skate park in Tamworth has been given a boost after the council approved a £75,000 grant.

The money will help fund a new state-of-the-art skate park on one of the three existing tennis cages in the Castle Grounds.

This facility will replace the existing River Drive park site.

The tennis courts will also be revamped and resurfaced as part of the project.

The Tamworth Wheeled Sports Forum has been campaigning to improve the skate park for the last three years.

Chairman Mike Dryburgh said they have also secured external grants from other sources as well as Tamworth Borough Council.

"This additional funding is the final part of the puzzle for the skate park project," said Mike.

"With this in place we can concentrate on selecting the best people to build the park itself.

"If we can maintain this momentum then there is no reason the park can't be built for this summer."

The council's cabinet agreed to the grant at a meeting last Thursday.

Deputy leader Cllr Danny Cook said he was fully behind the scheme.

"Improving and supporting these facilities will make them a real asset to the community," he said.

"It will give people the opportunity to take part in a variety of different sports and leisure activities as well as providing somewhere for people to go and meet with their friends.

"I am excited to see what a difference the changes will make, and I know that the Tamworth Wheeled Sports Forum have put in a great deal of work and thought to the project."