SKATEBOARDERS may be forced back into the streets after a fire devastated their Ardwick hangout.

London Road skatepark was seen burning by a passer-by at 3am on Wednesday. It is believed the fire began with a large mound of rubbish before sweeping through the park.

The blaze destroyed ramps, incinerated a portaloo and reached such intensity that chunks of concrete fell off pillars supporting the Mancunian Way above.

The £75,000 park, designed to mirror a 'street environment' with obstacles like quarter-pipes and flat banks, opened in 2004.

At risk

At the time there were official fears that skateboarders were putting pedestrians at risk in areas like Exchange Square and Cathedral Gardens.

Repeat offenders in the city centre were facing fines of up to £1,000 and plain clothes police were drafted in to gather intelligence on the 'epidemic', because skateboarding is banned in public areas of the city centre under a bylaw.

Now, it is feared that the damage caused by the fire could force boarders back on to the streets during the summer holidays.

Park manager John Haines said: "The damage is heartbreaking to look at. The structure of the skate park is badly burned and smoke damage even runs along the Mancunian Way.

"The problem is that the damage may mean the skaters aren't going to have anywhere to skate. We have 2,500 members and the park is used by 35 to 40 people a day, and at the weekends by 75 people a day."

A council spokesman said repair work to the park was expected to begin this weekend. Repair work will also be carried out to the Mancunian Way but it is not anticipated that there will have to be any closures.