Measures to deter skateboarders from using historic sites in Oxford are being considered by city councillors.

Councillors voted on Monday to look at the possibility of creating a "centre of excellence" to cater for skate enthusiasts.

This city centre site would complement three smaller parks at Fry's Hill, Blackbird Leys; the Aristotle Lane Recreation Ground and Alexandra Courts, in north Oxford.

Members of the city leisure services committee have now agreed that a fourth facility should be created at the Sunnymead Recreation Ground on the Cutteslowe Estate.

Their decision follows a public consultation exercise which included a skate day in August attended by about 150 skaters.

In-line blade skaters - as well as those who use skateboards - were consulted. And more than 95 per cent of those who attended said they would use a park at the Cutteslowe site.

Committee member Dr Bob Hoyle said Oxford University had called for purpose-built facilities because skaters were using sites such as the steps of the Bodleian Library and other historic buildings.

He added that the a city centre facility would have the added advantage of taking skaters away from homes.