Young skateboarders are nearing victory in their battle to get a skate park in their neighbourhood.

An official application for funding to build a facility in the Malling area of Lewes will be made to Sport England next month.

If the bid is successful, Lewes District Council has vowed to begin work on the £85,000 project next spring.

The news is the culmination of a campaign started by youngsters meeting at the town's YMCA who formed an action group called SK8 two years ago.

Council officers and Sussex Police worked with the group to identify their needs and find a suitable location.

Surveys of a number of sites were carried out and youngsters were involved in drawing up a detailed design of their ideal park.

The resulting design was costed and forms the basis for the bid being assembled.

Informal meetings have taken place with Sport England to ensure the submitted bid will have the best chance of success.

The overall project will cost £85,000 - 65 per cent is eligible for National Lottery funding.

The council said it was now trying to secure the balance of almost £30,000 as match funding. That would include £10,000 from the district council and £10,000 from a Home Office grant.

The remainder was being sought from other organisations including police and private sponsorship.

Councillor Liz Lee said: "I am very excited about the prospect of a skate park in Lewes.

"It takes time to put together a good funding application.

"Pulling together all the strands of a funding bid involves a lot of work behind the scenes in consultation, design, costing and supporting evidence.

"We have been working to help put together a good bid.

"Filling out the application form is the relatively simple part of the process."

The council said a partnership approach was vital to demonstrate to Sport England the widespread support for the project from the local community.