D-DAY veteran Patrick Churchill has been told he can keep his allotment after volunteers helped him restore it to its former glory.

As reported in yesterday’s Oxford Mail, the 91-year-old was told he needed to give up the allotment he has had for 20 years after struggling to maintain it over the winter.

Witney Allotment Association (WAA) said his plot fell below the standards demanded in its tenancy agreement, but later agreed to let him keep it after more than 1,200 people signed a petition.

Mr Churchill has divided his plot in half to make it more manageable and other allotment holders have agreed to help him with it each week.

WAA secretary Maggie Perrin said: “Following a kind offer by another tenant to help Mr Churchill with his plot I have written to Mr Churchill to let him know that the association is happy for him to retain his tenancy.”

The WAA rents the land from Witney Town Council and initially said pressure from the council to reduce waiting lists was one of the reasons they tried to evict Mr Churchill.

But council spokeswoman Polly Inness said: “The town council no longer has any involvement in the day-to-day running of the allotments or in tenancy agreements and we do not hold waiting lists.”

She added: “Following the rallying of the community to help him cultivate his allotment we understand a small group of volunteers have come forward to offer to help maintain the allotment which is brilliant news.

“Witney has a great community spirit and people are often able and willing to help.”

Mr Churchill’s son Frank said he had written to thank the WAA for its decision.

He said: “I’m glad they’ve thought better of it.

“I just hope my father can be left in peace to tend his allotment how he likes.”