They are nice kids, and skillful, but sometimes they get abusive

Robert Grimley, Dean of Bristol Cathedral

Mr Grimley wants a bylaw forbidding skateboarding on the street and piazza in front of the church to be enforced.

During services and concerts he says visitors have been disturbed by the noise but speaking to the skaters has had limited success.

"They are nice kids, and skillful, but when our stewards have a word with them sometimes they move away and sometimes they get abusive."

The skateboarders say they will not go away until there is an alternative.

'Perspective' needed

Bristol City Council is considering building a skateboard facility in Castle Park, and says it is keeping track of what young people want.

The young people want an alternative place to skate

Councillor Helen Holland said: "Skateboarding is an essential part of the city's culture.

"We need to make sure the balance is right to give skateboarders the opportunity that they want."

Earlier this year, Avon and Somerset police said calls for young people to be prosecuted for skateboarding in the area in front of the cathedral were too strong.

Inspector Louisa Burt from Avon and Somerset Police said: "We are keen to deal with nuisance behaviour but we have to get this into perspective.

"We are not keen to prosecute youths pursuing a sporting past-time when these things can deter youngsters from crime."

The dean believes a strategy involving the police and the council is the only way forward.

"Probably the ideal solution is a skateboard park with purpose-built obstacles for them instead of them erecting haphazard ramps on College Green with bits of board and traffic cones.

"It's got to be somewhere they feel they can use and feel that it's a good place for them to be."