SKATERS in Leigh are a step closer to getting a long-awaited skatepark after lottery funding of more than £400,000 was granted to Southend Council for play spaces.

The Big Lottery Fund has awarded the council a total of £403,291, of which £150,000 could be earmarked for a new facility for skateboarders at Leigh Marshes.

The planned skatepark, behind Leigh rail station, would also have football and basketball facilities.

Phil Clutton, a skateboarder for 20 years and one of the designers of the planned park, welcomed the news.

Mr Clutton, 31, from Eastwood, who has campaigned for four years for such a facility, said: "It is good news - £150,000 isn't enough, but if it gets the ball rolling, it's great."

But he warned: "We need to make sure the skate park appeals to everyone, from those who prefer skateboarding on the street to people who like ramps."

Leigh Town Council clerk, Geoff Fulford, said it has already had £68,000 from its own funds and, with the £150,000 the council had asked for, would only need to find another £50,000 or £60,000 to finish the project.

Mr Fulford said: "We can access the rest of the funding from other grants, some of which have to be applied for by young people.

"We have been working with the youth service, Connexions, on this project, and will see if there is anything we can do with them."

Other Southend projects earmarked for a slice of the money include the creation of a play area and landscaping at Southchurch Park, and the refurbishment of Eastwood Park children's playground.