VITAL grants to fund a skatepark in Watchet could be lost if West Somerset District Council does not act soon, according to town council vice-chairman Cllr Paul Doran.

He spoke of his frustration this week that the district authority seemed to be delaying over the lease arrangements for the land and making excuses - two years after the facility was first planned.

And a fortnight ago, district council chiefs were invited to a meeting with Watchet Town Council to iron out many outstanding matters - but not one officer turned up.

The long-running skatepark saga is almost identical to problems faced with the youth club which is being refurbished after almost a three-year closure.

Money for the skatepark project came from £5,000 from the lottery-based Awards For All scheme and a grant from the Rural Development Agency.

The funding package was complete with funds from the town council with an agreement made with the district council to surface the site next to the youth club.

Cllr Doran said he was speaking for the youth in the town when called for urgent action from the district council.

"I express the view of Watchet Town Council and the young, frustrated people of Watchet. I urge the district council to act now. They are officers and representatives for the people - do not keep letting the people down.

"I can assure the youngsters of Watchet that, as a town council, we have done everything possible to push this skatepark project forward.

"For months we have been writing letters and trying to move forward, to be met by excuses and apathy."

He said Watchet young people approached the town council in November 1999 and worked hard to produce a presentation folder with details of the equipment they wanted.

"Watchet Town Council has the project ready. If the funding is lost, West Somerset District Council will be responsible for the disappointment to the young people in Watchet and the surrounding areas."

He added: "We continue to write letters back and forth to various officers in the district council but still nothing gets done."

West Somerset District Council spokesman Norman Staples said: "The council has written to Watchet members inviting their comments on the transfer of certain land and licensing of other parts.

"We have now had the comments back and will be instructing our legal staff, and contracts and technical services manager Kelvin Rufus has invited tenders for the preparation of the skatepark surface."

Mr Staples said no representative could attend the meeting with Watchet Town Council because short notice was given.

And he added that council chief executive Tim Howes has assured the town council that grants for the scheme will not be lost.