Ready, set, grow: new allotments for grabs in contest

Frustrated beetroot, bean and berry growers can enter a contest to win two new sites for allotments, which will be bought in neighbourhoods with few good places to grow fruit and vegetables.

- Patrick Barkham

The charity Green Allotments is pledging to buy and set up not-for-profit allotment sites with peppercorn rents for two lucky communities.

Individuals and community groups in England and Wales have until the end of this month to make their case to the new charity, which is dedicated to meeting the demand for more and new allotments.

It will announce the two winners early next year, and plans to complete the purchase of land and set up the allotments as quickly as possible.

"Allotments bring multiple benefits for people and planet - health benefits, grow-your-own food, nature, community and culture," said Deborah Burn, chief executive of Green Allotments. "Currently, allotments in the public mind are a combination of a long wait, expensive and under threat. We want to change that picture."