GIVING a presentation in front of a council committee would be terrifying for most adults. So for Richard Porteous, 13, to stand up in front of Letchworth area committee and argue for a skateboard park must be considered quite an achievement. Not only th

GIVING a presentation in front of a council committee would be terrifying for most adults. So for Richard Porteous, 13, to stand up in front of Letchworth area committee and argue for a skateboard park must be considered quite an achievement.

Not only that, Richard regularly attended meetings to check on the progress of the much-needed skateboard park.

Richard, who was unable to attend the awards due to a school trip, said: "The skateboard park has been up and running for about three months. We use it every day that it doesn't rain. Standing in front of the committee was nerve-wracking at first but once I got into it, it went well."

His dad Jim, who collected Richard's award for him, said: "I am very proud. This has been a great experience for him."

But all this hasn't made him want to get into politics. He still wants to be either a rock star or a skateboarder.