GIVE skaters a chance. That is the verdict of Bev Davis, whose grandchildren use the controversial new skate ramp in the Sidings play facility, situated behind the new Holgate Park housing complex in Poppleton Road, York.

It opened last month after a long consultation period involving local parents and children. Some residents, who say the ramp is attracting gangs of older teenagers who are abusive and have caused considerable damage, are petitioning to get it torn down.

Log seats and plants have been ripped out and play equipment and signs covered in obscene graffiti.

But Mrs Davis, who regularly visits her daughter on the estate and takes her grandchildren to the park, said it was too early to judge.

"I think it's wonderful for the kids," she told the Evening Press.

"I regularly talk to the children who use it and haven't had any abuse. I treat them like I want to be treated.

"Don't forget it was the local community who voted for this facility. I love to watch them skate - I don't know how they stay on their feet!"

But Joanne Wallace, from nearby Poplar Street, said stones were thrown at her window and her car damaged by youths who gather at the ramp.

"I was very much for something being done in the area for teenagers, but I think it has been badly planned," she said. "The ramp is in a very bad place."

Holgate councillor Liz Edge recently leafleted every house on the estate to ask residents for their views on the skate ramp.

"I've only had four responses back so far, with two people voting for and two against keeping the ramp," she said.

"I'm genuinely trying to find out the best way of resolving it.

"I believe residents need to give it a chance. There were problems with youths on the estate before the ramp was ever there.

"There's no guarantee that relocating the ramp would solve anything."

Updated: 10:33 Tuesday, April 29, 2003