TEENAGE skateboarding fans are teaming up to fight for the future of a controversial skate ramp being shunned by residents.

Biddulph people living near the ramp have campaigned for it to be moved ever since it opened because of noise and vandalism problems.

The residents also claim the ramp is little used, and playing fields at Halls Road or Church Lane are seen as possible sites for its new home.

However the suggestion of moving it from the junction of Thames Drive and Congleton Road across to Halls Road has caused an uproar from residents there.

They claim their lives are already made a misery by noise from the nearby playing fields, and have put together a 57-name petition opposing any move to uproot the ramp to Halls Road.

The residents cite noise from car radios, double parked cars at the weekend and flying golf balls among problems they face.

Biddulph Town Council is asking the Moorlands District Council to carry out a survey of possible alternative sites in the town for the skate ramp.

In addition local teenagers, worried the ramp might be axed, are campaigning for it to be moved to the other side of Biddulph Leisure Centre.

"Local children came to see me on Monday to say how they used the ramp and ask how their voice could be heard in the current debate," said town administrator Kate Thacker.

"They feel the ramp would be better on the car park side of the leisure centre, as it's quieter there and would create less noise.

"They are worried the ramp is going to go altogether, and are aiming to get a petition together to say where they would like to see it moved to.

Mrs Thacker said the town council was also asking the Moorlands DC to consult with local residents before any final decision was taken on where the ramp would be moved to.

"We feel there was not enough public consultation before the ramp was put in its current position," she said.

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