The group behind plans to build a new skatepark in Beccles is hopeful work could start this year following another funding pledge from a local charity.

Eastern Daily Press: Beccles skate park users taking part in the recent Skate competition.Beccles skate park users taking part in the recent Skate competition. (Image: Archant)

The Beccles Skatepark Committee has started the new year with £50,000 in the fundraising pot, a third of the way to the total £150,000 needed to replace the ageing wooden skatepark in Common Lane with an improved and more modern concrete park.

And with plans to apply for a grant from the Sport England Community Asset Fund at the end of this month, committee chairman Nik Rose is hopeful the full funding could be in place soon.

He said: 'It's an amazing feeling to know that people are supporting us.

'It is going to be great for the town, good for the youth of the town and a facility that will be there for a long time.'

'We cannot thank those who have donated so far enough.'

The latest donation came from a Beccles charity which asked to remain anonymous. The money also includes £30,000 from Beccles Town

Council, and £4,000 raised by skatepark users.

Mr Rose said: 'I've been waiting months to hear when the Sport England funding will open so we are going to apply for that and to WREN and if we are successful it should be enough to cover it. If we don't get it we will just keep applying for other grants.'

The committee is receiving support from one of the people who helped with the funding process for the skatepark at Normanston Park in Lowestoft.

Mr Rose said: 'Knowing that other skateparks have taken six, seven, 10 years to get the funding, but we could get here in two is unbelievable.

'We did think is this ever going to happen, but all of the sudden we've had two huge donations.'

The committee have been working hard to raise awareness of the project, with information packs including the park's history and a new vision sent out to local businesses last year.

And as well as raising funds for their own project, skaters have also found time to host events for local causes, with a recent Skate competition raising £100 for Beccles Children's Home.

Mr Rose is waiting for a second set of designs to be drawn up, and a public display will then be held to give residents a chance to have their say on the plans.

'We want to have two different sets of designs so everyone can get involved and have their final say on what looks best,' said Mr Rose.

To find out more about how you can help, search for Beccles Skatepark Community on Facebook.