YOUNGSTERS met with councillors to discuss the problem of youths 'hanging around' the streets.

At a forum last week, teenagers, representatives of the parish council, PC Barrie Feltwell and youth workers discussed facilities for youngsters in the town.

Youth worker Andy Hitchcock asked ten youngsters what there is to do in the town and got the answer 'Nothing'.

The youngsters were asked what they would like in Bourne End. A skate park was high on the list of priorities.

Buckinghamshire county and Wooburn parish councillor Mike Appleyard said: "We did investigate it and it was just really trying to find an area of land that we own."

Youth worker Joan Kent said that she has been looking into a portable skate park and said: "But it would still need a large hard surface."

Teenager Robert Yeomanson asked for a skate park in February after he was threatened by a gang of boys at his nearest venue.

Robert, 13, of The Parade, Bourne End, used to go to the skate nights at the Magnet Leisure Centre.

"This has happened to quite a lot of people I know and they are all scared to be around Maidenhead now.

"I don't know of anywhere that you are allowed to skate around the street and have fun on steps and handrail. The police always throw you off.

"The people around Bourne End get very bored in the afternoons and lots of them rollerblade."

The problem of intimidation was addressed at the meeting.

Wycombe District Councillor and chairman of Wooburn Parish Council Julia Langley said: "Big groups of people can be intimidating to adults. But why shouldn't you meet as groups?"

A teenager told the meeting: "They just think of us as thugs. I get on alright when I'm by myself but when there is three or four of us they [adults] blank me. At the end of the day we are not going to hurt them."

A youth room and outdoor area was discussed.

The councillors said they hoped to do something positive for youngsters.