A FUNDRAISING raffle with a difference is being held in Tavistock's Bedford Square this Saturday.

The raffle, arranged by skate group Taviskate, is part of a campaign to raise the £90,000 for a skate park in Bensons Meadow. And the prizes on offer to skate-mad youngsters in the town are the group's mobile ramps and rails.

Also in the square will be T-shirts for sale and musical entertainment will be provided by the Sideez, a local band.

Taviskate have already raised £6,500 towards the park, and is in the process of making grant applications and organising future fundraising events.

The group was formed three years ago and now has about 180 members.

Bob Pilbeam, Taviskate chairman, said: 'Skating is popular with many young people in Tavistock but they currently have little choice but to use car parks, street furniture and public places to pursue their sport.

'This is unacceptable, both because of the nuisance factor and the risk of conflict and injury.'

He said a skatepark would be the ideal way to meet the needs of in-line skaters, skateboarders and BMX riders in the area.

A partnership agreement between the town and borough councils has been created to manage the proposed skate park, with Youthwize agreeing to monitor and evaluate the park once it is built.

Taviskate will raise the funds to build and maintain the park.

The fundraising rally starts in Bedford Square at noon.