OFFICIALS responsible for the regeneration of Thetford have agreed to release money to further a planned skate park and educational forum.

OFFICIALS responsible for the regeneration of Thetford have agreed to release money to further a planned skate park and educational forum.

The Moving Thetford Board has now agreed to �10,000 towards the cost of a feasibility study into the skate park to determine the preferred option, design and how it is delivered.

At a public consultation at the end of January at which people were able to view designs and details of proposed plans and developments across Thetford, it was revealed land behind the town's Health Living Centre had been bought for the skate park.

Officials will now visit high schools in the area to speak to youngsters to determine what form the skate park should take.

Up to �570, 250 was also agreed to purchase land on Bridge Street for the forum.

The Thetford Forum will see the creation of a new building in the town to provide education in conjunction with the two existing high schools and alongside plans to build a new bus interchange.

Sponsors of the proposed academy, Norfolk County Council, Wymondham College, Easton College, and West Suffolk College, have already submitted their expression of interest to the government outlining their vision for the three site scheme.

If the expression of interest is successful feasibility work will be carried out in the spring to look at the viability of the project while the sponsors consult with residents, students, staff, and schools.