OXFORD skateboarders are calling for a popular skate bowl to be repaired after it was badly damaged in an arson attack.

Three weeks ago thieves rammed a stolen van through the gates of the Louie Memorial Playing Fields before driving it into the Botley Bowl and setting it on fire.

The blaze damaged the concrete and left a cocktail of toxic materials in the bowl, saddling North Hinksey Parish Council with a £1,400 clean-up bill.

And more money will be needed to carry out repairs to the gates – estimated at £1,500 – and the skate bowl itself.

The damage has cast doubt over whether the skate bowl, designed by two Oxford skating champions, will reopen.

Former English Skateboard Association half-pipe champion Sean Goff, who co-designed it, said: “Skaters have come from as far afield as Canada to ride this bowl.

“This is terrible. It would be a real shame if it closed.

Mr Goff 46, from Kidlington, added: “Considering we have had world-class skaters come out of Oxford, it’s a shame we have hardly got any facilities.”

The guitar-shaped bowl cost £6,500 when it was built in 1991.

Former world amateur rollerskating champion Mon Barber, who worked with Mr Goff on the design, said: “It would be a real shame if the bowl had to be destroyed.

“It has got a mythical status among British skateboarders, because it’s a challenge to stay on for more than 30 seconds. It has also got cult status in America’.”

Mr Barber, 40, who runs the SS20 skateboard shop in Cowley Road, added: “ I hope it can be brought back into use.”

Parish council clerk Alan Stone said it was hoped to recoup the cost of the clean-up on insurance but they were yet to hear about cover for the costs of repairs to the gates and bowl.

Council chairman Briony Newport said: “If our insurers decide it can repaired and funded, it will go ahead.

“So far, there are two points of view from people in North Hinksey – to repair it as soon as possible and others wanting a more up-to-date facility.”

Ag MacKeith, of Old Botley, who first proposed the skate bowl, said: “Skateboarding is such a healthy, energetic activity and it teaches children to be brave, athletic and to have good balance.

“Should the council find they can’t afford to fix it, I’m sure the community response would be to keep it.”

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said no arrests had been made over the incident.