Sturminster Newton has moved one step closer to opening a skate park to coincide with the 2012 London Olympics.

The town has agreed to send councillors to investigate similar schemes in Blandford and Dorchester to get an idea of the final design and cost.

The aim is to build a concrete skate park, costing around £100,000, which will become part of the Olympic legacy.

Half of the money will come through the £6 million development of the town’s former Creamery.

The homes are being built on behalf of Raglan Housing Association and £50,000 has been allocated towards the skatepark under a Section 106 agreement.

“There’s been a demand for a skate park in the town for the past 10 years or so,” said town councillor Neil Watson.

“There are other facilities like this in nearby towns but they tend to be eight or nine miles away.

“I also think the age profile is higher than we expected, there are people doing it in their 20s.”

Cllr Watson is part of a skate park committee who last week agreed to make the fact finding trips, accompanied by skaters from Sturminster Newton.

He added: “We have been in negotiations with the county council to acquire a corner of Sturminster Newton High School’s playing fields.

“Subject to legal agreements, we should have that secured and then we can start trying to raise the additional money.”

The skate park committee is also hoping to hold an open house with potential designers in November.