THERE could soon be a waiting list for previously overgrown and unwanted allotment plots that have been derelict for years.

Preston City Council has been flooded with calls for the £22.50-a-year plots, after it put up an advertising banner at the 120-plot Penwortham Holme West Allotments, Liverpool Road, two weeks ago.

The council cleared 30 of the site's derelict plots in spring, after receiving a £10,000 grant from Lancashire County Council, to clear rubbish and weeds.

Now site representative, Jim Melrose, believes he may have to put people on a waiting list, for the first time in years, after 15 plots were snapped up by green fingered enthusiasts and inquiries coming in daily.

"There is a common myth that to get an allotment you have to wait for someone to die or that they are passed from father to son, so we haven't had any interest before," said Mr Melrose, who has two plots at the new site.

New tenants Ian and Alicia Croft, of Howick Park Avenue, Penwortham, spotted the banner and thought they would try their hand at growing their own food.

"We like to spend time outside and we ran out of space in our back garden, we haven't decided what our first crop will be yet," said Mrs Croft.

Mr Melrose said there was an exodus from the allotments about five years ago when there was talk of using the site for a park and ride bus service, leaving the plots to fall into disrepair.

Lisa Kersey, development officer for Preston parks, said: "Traditionally allotments have been very popular in Preston, and we are very pleased these plots will be used again."

The annual Allotment and Leisure Garden Show will take place on Sunday at Moor Park from noon-4pm with a variety of stalls and events during the day.