GARDENERS in Highworth have got a spring in their step as the opening of new allotments has cleared the waiting list in the town.

Some residents had been on the waiting list for almost seven years but thanks to a lot of hard work from town councillors, and some hard labour from local farmers, around 100 allotments have been made available.

The new plots, which are situated at the end of Park Avenue, were opened last week and already people have been working to prepare the soil to grow their own fruit and vegetables.

Adrian Shepherd, 31, of Evencroft, had been on the waiting list for four years and was delighted that he could finally use the allotments with his son.

“It is brilliant because we live in a flat so we don’t have a garden and we have a young son so it is nice to have this space to come out and work on,” he said.

“With having a little one as well it is good to spend time with him and teach him at the same time. You always see the chefs on the TV saying to use home produce so it is nice to be able to do that and not just have a few pots on the window.

“People are starting to use the allotments already and there is a real buzz amongst the allotment holders.”

Highworth Warneford School are also benefiting from the new allotments with two plots being given to the school which children will be able to use and lessons will be held in the allotments.

Highworth’s Mayor, Councillor Pauline Webster, said: “It is fantastic that we have managed to clear the waiting list for allotments in Highworth with the opening of these plots.

“Highworth has had a long list for a long time and now we’ve managed to clear it which is a huge achievement and I am very impressed.

“Some of the councillors have done a lot of work to get the allotments up and running and there has been a lot of help from some of the local farmers.”

It is hoped that the allotments will become completely self-sufficient when a well will be built on the site, allowing holders to water their plots without having to go further afield for water.

For more information on the allotments, and to request a site, call the town council on 01793 762377.