A PROJECT to expand Carterton’s skate park is one step closer after a £10,000 cash boost.

A group from the Extreme Wheels project — which organises an annual festival at the Upavon Way skate park — put their ideas to Carterton Town Council and councillors gave the project their backing.

Town councillor Adrian Coomber said: “The council unanimously supported the proposal and has pledged £10,000 towards the cost.

“The total cost is likely to be in the region of £20,000 so we have some work to do to raise the remaining funds. This is a great start though.”

The plan is to extend the 11-year-old park to create space for a new ramp.

BMX rider Alex Oliver, who is involved in the Extreme Wheels project, said: “I am really happy the council has allowed us to do this in such economically bad times.”

The group will spend the next few months trying to come up with the additional money.

Mr Oliver, 28, from Carterton, hoped the park would be finished in time for the next Extreme Wheels festival in August.

He said: “I really want the work to be done before then, that would be wicked.”

He added: “If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. The ball is rolling now, so hopefully we will be able to find the additional funding and get quotes in by the end of next month.”