A petition with more than 500 signatures has been presented to Swale council to show Islanders’ support for a skate park.

Brian Spoor, secretary of Sheerness Enhancement Association for Leisure (SEAL), which is behind the proposal, was accompanied by children from Sheerness when they handed the document in at Sheppey Gateway.

Most of the signatures were from young people and the aim was to show Swale council the numbers that would potentially use the park.

Mr Spoor reiterated criticism that another planned skate park in Sittingbourne was receiving greater support from the local authority, including a £30,000 grant.

He said: “We want to get kids off the street. There is a need for something like this in Sheerness.

“We are ready to go. We just need the money and then we can put that skate park in. We have spent £3,500 putting this together and months of work.

“It’s just the classic thing that the Island just gets forgotten. That is the feeling that we have a little bit.”

But Swale council has denied claims of favouritism.

A spokesman said: “We are working with both skatepark groups on Sheppey and Sittingbourne and are assisting where we can with the groups’ planning, and fundraising efforts.”