Skateboarders can look forward to a state-of-the-art rink at Sunnymead recreation ground in North Oxford.

Oxford City Council's leisure services committee agreed to allocate £50,000 towards the project.

The skate park, which could be ready by March next year, would be next to the new 'Street Sport' site at Sunnymead recreation ground, near Cutteslowe Community Centre.

The plan has the backing of the Oxford Wheels Project, a registered charity with the aim of establishing facilities for skateboarding, BMX and in-line skaters across the county.

The charity has already provided a rink at Meadow Lane, Iffley, which proved extremely popular, but had to close after OWP's lease expired at the end of September.

City parks manager Andrew Parsons told the committee: "The Oxford Wheels Project are very excited about seeing a development at Sunnymead. It's the perfect site. It's got the right contours. It also meets the needs of BMX riders and in-line skaters."

Any proposals would still have to gain planning permission and the public will be consulted on what they think of the plans.

Cllr Robert Evans said Oxford should have one facility worth of hosting the 'X-Games', a festival of "extreme sports" including skateboarding and BMX. He argued in favour of a consolidated site at Fry's Hill, Blackbird Leys.

But the committee voted in favour of the Sunnymead option. It also ruled out the idea of a skateboarding facility at Cowley Marsh recreation ground, which had been presented as an alternative.