A Skateboarding club in Ryedale has moved a step closer to finding a site for its activities.

The X-Treme Sports Club of Malton and Norton has been campaigning for a site for more than a year.

But now its case is to be considered by town leaders, who are looking at two potential locations to set up a skateboard and cycling park.

One site is a park by the river next to Norton Road and the other is a disused Northern Electric site.

The suitability of both sites is now to be looked at in greater detail by members of Norton Town Council's leisure and recreation committee.

Some councillors have expressed reservations about the park site because of concerns that older people using it would feel intimidated by the youths.

Coun Howard Griffiths said if a skateboard park was built at that site, a number of trees may have to be cut down.

Coun Jim Kench said: "There is a concern that people using the park would feel intimidated by the young people who would use the skateboarding facilities."

The other site, a disused area, also along Norton Road, which was formerly used by Northern Electric, will also be considered.

John Balaam, leisure services spokesman for Ryedale District Council, said more than 100 youths in the Malton and Norton area would benefit from a skateboarding area.

malton@ycp.co.uk