Chorley Council are on the hunt for more land to convert into allotments due to the overwhelming demand for plots in the town.
The council has just 99 allotments but has seen demand soar with the growing popularity of TV gardening programmes, taking the waiting list up to 150 names.

It is hoped that some spare land can be found to make more allotments available to ease the demand.

Coun Eric Bell, the executive member for streetscene, neighbourhoods and the environment, said: “Because of the demand for allotments the council are doing a survey.

“The purpose of the survey is to see if there is any land available that can be turned into allotments.

“The problem, of course, is that money may not be available to set up the new allotments, but that is something that will be looked into.”

Coun Bell, who used to have four allotments until he gave them away to people on the waiting list, added: “I know that the demand has been very high, but people need to be aware that having an allotment is not an easy task.

“It takes a lot of hard work and you have to be committed to it.

“In the past we have had people who had a plot, but then have given it up not too long after because it was too much to cope with.”

As well as finding land for allotments one other consideration is to find a location with space for a car park.

A spokesman for Chorley Borough Council said: “Allotments are becoming more and more popular with many people wanting to grow their own organic food.

“Unfortunately there are more people who want an allotment than we have sites, so we’re currently trying to find other land which we could use to help meet the demand. If anyone has any suggestions please let us know.” via : thisischorley.co.uk