SKATERS and youths have hit back to defend themselves after a volley of complaints about drugs, gangs, noise and alcohol in Chesham's Lowndes Park.

More than 40 residents packed into Chesham Town Hall last week to hear regular park visitors voice their concerns about the park and its new skate facility.

But Emily Walker, chairman of Chesham Youth Council, said the issues of drinking, drug taking and dealing had nothing to do with the skate park.

The skater, who uses the park almost every day, said: "I think a lot of issues have been confused here with the park in general. The skate park hasn't got a problem at the moment with drinking. I haven't seen young people drinking and I haven't seen people using drugs. If it's going on it's going on somewhere else certainly not at the skate park."

Concerns over the £80,000 facility were raised at the Lowndes Park Users Group meeting last Tuesday. Residents living close to the new park on Park Road said they were being disturbed by the skaters as late as 3am.

Some others called for the park to be resited further away from a residential area.

But Miss Walker, who helped spearhead the scheme through the youth council and with Chesham Town Council and Chiltern District Council, said the placing of the park had nothing to do with the youngsters who use it.

She said: "The youth council had nothing to do with where they positioned the skate park."

Another meeting of the Lowndes Park Users Group is being held at Chesham Town Hall on Monday at 7.30pm. All are invited.

Sergeant Steve Buckland, of Chesham police, said where ever there was a mix of people using a public space there would be issues.

He added: "There are problems in all parks. But on balance the park is a safe place to go."