I AM a Westhoughton resident responding to the article in last week's newspaper regarding skateboarders in Bolton town centre.

You ask the question: "Should skateboards be banned from the town centre, or should facilities be provided for them?"

Most definitely the council should provide facilities for the young to pursue their sport, just as facilities are provided for football etc.

Skateboarding is the chosen sport of my 14-year-old son and I know the difficulties he and his friends come up against. They are even complained about in their own street for skating, but there is just nowhere for them to go.

I realise that it is far from ideal that they should be skating around the town centre, but it is up to the council to do something about it and provide suitable facilities.

As working parents, we pay a lot in taxes, including council tax, which I know covers the many services we benefit from, but also this should include local recreational facilities for all.

(Name and

address supplied)