ALLOTMENT holders are hoping a new polytunnel will secure the future of at least one of the town's allotments.

For months residents have lived in fear that five sites across Didcot would be sold after Didcot Town Council leader Charles Robertson, suggested they "could be worth millions" in November last year.

However, after reassurances from councillor Bill Service that there were no immediate plans to sell land off, and the polytunnel was completed at the New Road site, residents hope sites are now safe from development.

Community group Sustainable Didcot organised for the new polytunnel to be installed and Didcot Rotary Club and the town council contributed funds.

Sustainable Didcot treasurer Denise Macdonald said: "These are an expensive but worthwhile addition to our site and we hope this gives residents confidence that the site will not be sold off in the immediate future.

"The generosity of Didcot Rotary Club and the town council has meant we can expand and continue what we already do and hopefully encourage more people to grow their own fruit and vegetables."

The polytunnel is 12ft wide and 20ft long and will have three raised beds for vegetables and fruit to be grown.

Shelves will also be put in for seedlings, as the warmth generated from the tunnel will help them grow.

Mrs Macdonald added: "Because of the warmer climate it will create it also means we will be able to grow more exotic vegetables like aubergines.

"We are going to have to work out a booking system for people to use the beds and the shelves for their seeds, but we are not expecting people to pay to use it.

"This is a community asset, and one which we hope can be replicated on the other four allotment sites in the town.

"Now more than ever we need to encourage people to get out get some exercise and grow their own food.

"We also hope this will bring the community closer together: we would love for people to form groups and have a patch which they all work on."

The tunnel cost £700, but the additional costs of the raised beds and shelving will see the total rise to £1,000.

Colin Campbell, treasurer of the Didcot Rotary Club, said the organisation was delighted to be able to help with funding.

He said: "Every year we have a pot of money which is dedicated to community projects in Didcot.

"We ask applicants to write in to us, explaining why they would need our help and Sustainable Didcot sent in a fantastic application, which we thought a lot of people in the town would benefit from.

"Allotments and green space are extremely valuable for people in Didcot, especially with all the development going on and so assets such as this will hopefully mean they will be secure for the time being.

"We hope it will encourage more people to get outdoors and bring generations together as they work on something really worthwhile."