NEARLY 1,000 people have signed a petition to help save Stourbridge's cash-strapped skatepark.

The document was handed in at Dudley Council House last week when angry skaters and BMX bikers descended on the steps to protest about the council's treatment of Ramparts founder Lois Bramall.

Ex-Stourbridge cllr Bramall remortgaged her home to set up the town's first skatepark, but the non-profit-making venture - despite proving popular with youngsters - has struggled to break even.

Lois wound up £50,000 in debt, a situation she claims she found herself in partly through officers failing to issue invoices for rent and through having to spend £20,000 on bringing the council-owned basement to Bell Street car park up to scratch.

And the council is now threatening legal action if she fails to pay the rent by the end of January.

But young Ramparts members have rallied round and launched a campaign to save their skatepark and Lois's home - which she has pledged to sell if she cannot raise the money by the end of the month.

She said: "Just under 1,000 local residents have signed petitions and money is coming in, but slowly."

Ex-Lib Dem cllr Lois says she even offered to hand over Ramparts to the council to save it building a mini outdoor skate park on the Junction Road playing fields, a facility she claims is a waste of taxpayer's money.

Dudley Council claims the park, with its mix of ramps and rails, will be a huge attraction for any adventurous youngster'.

But Lois said: "They're spending money putting in a facility that users don't want when they could have had Ramparts on a plate."

She said the facility would only be a third of the size of Ramparts' beginners' section and, unmanned at all times, there would be no-one on hand if accidents occur.

Work on the outdoor park is already under way and should be completed in the New Year.

Councillor Charles Fraser Macnamara, Dudley's cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: "I'm sure it will prove a huge attraction to youngsters in the borough."

He earlier said Lois had never submitted a claim for money she spent on the building and said officers had met with her numerous times over the rent arrears to find out how she intended to settle the matter.

Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho has also joined the fight to help save Ramparts and has written to Tesco bosses urging them to support the venture following their announcement they will be opening a store in the Crown Centre.

She said: "I know Tesco has a record of supporting local community facilities so I am hopeful they may be able to assist Ramparts with its current problems."

Anyone wishing to support the Save Our Skatepark campaign can contact Lois on 01384 345800 or go to www.skateramparts.co.uk.