WORK is set to start on 30 new allotments in Kidlington to tackle growing demand.

Contractors will start work in the coming two weeks on land off Bicester Road with £30-a-year plots expected to open up to four weeks later.

It is part of land bought by Kidlington Parish Council for a new cemetery, which opened last summer.

About 10 years ago the council had no-one waiting for the 140 plots in its five other sites at Blenheim Road, Hazel Walk, Gravel Pits, Yarnton Road and Station Fields. But it now has a waiting list of 70 as part of a nationwide resurgence in interest in growing your own greens.

Parish councillor Chris Pack said: “It is going to make a major contribution to fulfilling the needs of the growing list of people of Kidlington who want allotments.

“There is terrific demand now – it is good to see people wanting to grow their own fruit and veg.

“Trying to fulfil these needs in a community this size is quite a challenge and we were able to seize the opportunity of this new cemetery land to make some contribution towards that.”

It is estimated more than 100,000 UK people are on allotment waiting lists amid growing interest as a result of increased awareness of issues such as food miles and TV shows like Love Your Garden.

Mr Pack said: “To some extent it may be the more difficult economic circumstances we are in but I think, apart from that, there is a genuine interest from people to grow their own veg.”

His wife Carole, chairman of the council’s allotment committee, said: “We are delighted, we are desperate for allotment space.

“It is quite fashionable and people are into healthier lives and they like growing their own produce.”

Contractors will weed and add sharp sand and compost to the land to provide the best possible conditions for growth.

Those who joined the council’s waiting list first will get priority and will be encouraged to begin work, despite the late season.

This will ensure the land is free of weeds for the main work to begin in October.

The council borrowed £114,000 in 2010 to buy the farmland and is spending an extra £27,000 on the allotments from its reserves.