FELIXSTOWE: Youngsters will only be able to use Felixstowe's new �180,000 skatepark during daylight hours - after some tried to extend their after-dark playtime.

FELIXSTOWE: Youngsters will only be able to use Felixstowe's new �180,000 skatepark during daylight hours - after some tried to extend their after-dark playtime.

As previously reported in the Evening Star, vandals broke into the electricity supply box and altered the timer so the floodlights stayed on after the 8.30pm switch-off, with some reports of the lights on at midnight.

Now council officials have decided to switch off the lights permanently because of the problems.

“The selfish actions of a few have left us with no choice but to disable the supply which will mean that anyone wanting to use this wonderful new facility will only be able to do so during daylight hours,” said Suffolk Coastal cabinet member Doreen Savage.

“The final straw was on Wednesday night when someone took a crowbar to break into the box which had been securely locked.

“The CCTV footage will be examined to try and identify who may be responsible for these incidents.

“I am sorry for all of the many well-behaved users of the skatepark, but a few people have ruined the fun for everyone else.

“I would urge anyone who knows anything about who is responsible for the problem to let the police know.

“Because of a selfish few, the council will have to work hard with the skaters to regain our trust in local young people before we can consider putting the lights back on.”

Mrs Savage said youngsters using the site in Grange Farm Avenue needed to “step forward and exercise some control themselves”.

“Without the floodlights being on, and with the dark nights beginning to draw in, the young people will soon realise what they are missing out on,” she added.

Should the council keep the lights off permanently or give the youngsters another chance? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk