SKATERS are ramping up fundraising efforts for a new skate park in Bicester after councillors pledged thousands of pounds to the project.

Riders have been pushing for a revamp to the "old, outdated" skatepark in Garth Park but it came with a price tag of about £150,000.

But the overhaul could be more than just a pipe dream as Bicester Town Council pledged to contribute 25 per cent of costs, and it revealed three designs.

Skatepark users are now hoping to raise funds themself as well as looking to business and community groups for sponsorship to support a grant application.

Langford resident Adam Greenway, 17, said: "The park is about 18 years old and is falling apart, a rebuild is long overdue.

"It was originally built as a BMX track so it doesn't suit everybody as it is at the moment.

"It would be huge for Bicester to get the new skatepark and we have had such massive support from the police and the town council.

"Usually people think of the police as being against you but it is not like that in Bicester, the support makes you feel like people are behind us.

"We have been fighting for this for two years now."

Thames Valley Police officer Vicky Lees got the ball rolling last year after receiving complaints of skating in the town centre.

The officer found that skaters were not using the "dangerous, outdated and old" park.

After meetings between all parties, PC Vicky Lees agreed with skaters, aged between 10 and 25, they would clean up their act around the skatepark and help fundraise for the upgrade.

She said: "There has been a massive improvement and the town council has recognised that. The skaters really want this.

"It is a community project, a healthy project and it is growing massive support.

"It is important to get them involved in the fundraising and getting them to work towards the new skate park, and their ideas on the designs so that they will use the end product."

Three designs were put to skaters at a meeting on Monday and the favourite among users was a plan from Wheelscape.

Bicester Town Council also announced its 25 per cent pledge and said Cherwell District Council was committed to providing five times what the skaters can raise.

Now plans are under way to organise fundraising events such as skateboarding lessons and bake sales

Skater Kai Collins, also from Langford, added: "The design from Wheelscape is pretty good, our skate park now is quite limited.

"It will be a great boost for the community."

To help support the project contact facebook.com/Change-Bicester-skatepark-917826164941425/