Council rolls out Heelys discos (From Echo)

Council rolls out Heelys discos

1:39pm Thursday 8th February 2007 in

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Growing fears for the latest children's craze of Heelys is being tackled head on by worried council chiefs.

Heelys - trainers which let children walk, run and roll - were at the top of many youngsters' Christmas wish list.

Now concerns about their safety have prompted Basildon Council to hold discos, where it plans to hand out leaflets and CD Roms to give children tips on how to avoid having accidents.

Simon Jones, the council's sports co-ordinator, said the discos would provide a safe zone for children looking to get out and about on their Heelys over the school holidays.

Mr Jones said: "It can be dangerous to use them in or near roads and in shopping centres where other people might get hurt.

"That's why we want to give youngsters the chance to practise their skills and have fun enjoying this year's craze in a safe environment."

The discos, dubbed Heely City, will include skating competitions with prizes and a DJ playing the latest music.

Dad James Lee, of Wick Lane, Wickford, said while he thought the discos sounded like a great idea, he did not believe Heelys were unsafe for his children Holly, 12, and Bradley, ten.

Mr Lee said: "I wouldn't make them wear knee pads. I think Heelys are quite safe because as soon as you want to stop, you just put your foot forward.

He joked: "I wouldn't mind a pair myself, actually. They look like fun."

The discos will be held at the Basildon Sports Centre, Nethermayne, next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with two sessions each day from 10am to 12.30pm and 1pm to 3.30pm.

Sessions cost £4.50.

Eye on skate craze

Bosses at Basildon's Eastgate shopping centre are keeping an eye on kids zooming around on their Heelys in case they become a problem and need to be banned.

Shoppers sporting the shoe-come-skates are currently welcome at Eastgate and the Royals, in Southend, with both confirming no bans currently exist.

However, Eastgate promotions manager Mike Horton said: "We're monitoring the situation. We're concerned that children will have accidents in them."

Mr Horton said if the centre decided to ban Heelys, he admitted it would be hard to enforce.

A spokesman for the Royals said Heelys had not caused any problems.