WATCHET'S skate ramps have been revamped in a project designed to give the youngsters who use them a sense of ownership.

The equipment in the town's Henry Davey Playing Field was in need of a spruce-up so town warden Julie Foster came up with the idea of staging a 'paint a skate ramp' day.

More than 25 children took part in the half term holiday event last Friday, arriving in old clothes and armed with paintbrushes.

With the help of local police and community support officer Sue Thompson, the youngsters painted a wave design on the ramps to mark Watchet's nautical heritage and its 1,000-year history as a port.

"The idea was not only to revamp some sad looking ramps in a fun way but in allowing the children to paint them, to give them a sense of ownership so they will continue to look after them," said Julie.

The ramps are owned by Watchet Town Council, whose tourism and leisure committee gave the project its backing.

Committee chairman Cllr Janet Tapp said members had been 100 per cent in support of the event.

"What a wonderful way to get children involved in painting their ramps, giving them a sense of pride and achievement," she said.

The town's Swain Street branch of the Co-Op donated refreshments, including drinks, biscuits and doughnuts and won the thanks of the council for its generosity and support.

"This was a community collaboration and the success of the event shows what can be achieved when everyone works together," said Cllr Tapp.