Youngsters have ‘grown old’ waiting for a skatepark in Royal Wootton Bassett - but the town council says it remains committed to the idea of building one.

In September 2001, young people packed into a town council meeting voicing their demand for a skatepark.

The youngsters were told that there were no areas which met the specified criteria.

Almost 22 years later, the town council has released a new statement emphasising its support for the idea of a skatepark in the town’s future.

“Over the last few years there has been a consistent demand for a skatepark in Royal Wootton Bassett,” the statement read.

“However, finding a suitable location for such a facility has proven difficult.”

For a skatepark to be built it must meet strict requirements, including being far enough away from houses as not to cause disruption.

“An initial survey has been completed to look at all the land currently owned by the town council including all our parks, but unfortunately concluded no site was suitable,” the town council added.

But the town council has emphasised its support for the idea and told residents it is now looking to identify a suitable site for the future.

Proposed ideas put forward include acquiring new land or working with developers to include a skatepark into a future development.

“My son is nearly 15 and he has to walk all the way to West Swindon just to go to the skate park,” said Bassett resident Daniella Rawlings.

Thomas Peaker has lived in the town for nearly 20 years and started the new push for the skatepark.

“I started skating about four or five years ago," he said. "I had heard about the failed pushes to get something built in Bassett and I thought it's been long enough.

“We've got god knows how many kiddy parks and if you are over 13 you aren't allowed in nearly all of them. There's nothing for the youth to do in the town except be menaces.”

Despite the length of time the campaign has been ongoing, Mr Peaker said that he feels hopeful following this latest council support.

“It is true that the history of the search for a skatepark goes back over 20 years, but the situation over skate/wheeled parks is much more positive,” said Mayor of Royal Wootton Bassett Coun Steve Walls.

“Most towns in the area have a wheeled/skate park and they have overcome the problems. We are positive about the prospect of a wheeled park and we hope to produce more information in due course."