A desire to eat more organic food is leading to an increase in the number of people taking up allotments, according to organisers of an annual Oxfordshire competition.

Norman Ballard, winner of Didcot's Bosley Shield for the best-kept allotment, is among an increasing number of plot-holders who are growing organic produce.

"It is definitely healthier," said Mr Ballard, 69, of Wessex Road, who believes he and his family stay free from illness because of their healthy diet.

Town council technical manager and competition judge, Brenda Andrews, said: "Well over 300 allotments in Didcot are under cultivation and more and more plot-holders are growing organic vegetables without the use of pesticides."

Allotment gardening is also no longer a predominantly male preserve, with many more women taking on plots.

As always, competition was hot for the awards, presented by the mayor of Didcot, Jeremy Goff. But Miss Andrews said Mr Ballard's plot at the New Road allotment site was a model of carefully trimmed paths and neat cultivation.

Mr Ballard has been cultivating allotments all his life and has been tending his plot at the New Road site for four years. The other award winners for the different sites were Tony Danel (Wantage Road), David Coles (Broadway), John Moir (Cockroft) and June Shaw (Mereland Road).