YOUTHS are being accused of lacking respect for the dead by using skateboards and BMX bikes on Basingstoke's war memorial.

Councillors are concerned that the memorial by the borough council offices in London Road is being damaged.

Councillor Sheila Knight told The Gazette Extra she has frequently observed youths on skateboards, rollerblades and BMX bikes jumping on to the steps of the memorial.

Cllr Knight said: "The war memorial is not something that should be used for that sort of thing.

"They should show a little more respect for the people who died in the wars of the last century."

She added: "I have approached them about skating near the memorial and they seem to be polite young people but the sad thing is they do not seem to know what the memorial represents."

Cllr Keith Chapman is also very concerned about the damage that is occurring to the area around the memorial.

Cllr Chapman said: "The stone seats and steps are being chipped and damaged. I do not know why the skateboarders do not use the specific skate parks that have been built for them?"

At the council's Cabinet meeting tomorrow night, Cllr Knight will be asking the council to do something to protect the memorial.

Cllr Knight said: "I do not know exactly what needs to be done. Perhaps we could ban skateboards from the area or put up railings."

Council leader Rob Donnelly said the issue is a very sensitive one.

He added: "Even though the skate parks the council has built are very well used, the kids seem to want to use their skateboards in an urban environment.

"I do not know about the legality of them using the public area around the memorial, but I will be setting up a meeting with Cllr Knight to discuss her concerns and possible ways of resolving the problem."