ALLOTMENT holders are digging in against an eviction notice which they say will spell the end of a century-old tradition.

The 20 gardeners who tend plots in Howden-le-Wear were shocked when letters arrived last week giving them a year to quit the three-acre site, which is leased by Wear Valley District Council from private owners.

Villagers are speculating that the land could be sold for housing, although no approach has been made to council planners.

Dave Quinn, the allotment association secretary for 20 years and also a district councillor, said the Howden-le-Wear community was behind a campaign to save the gardens.

He said: "This could mean the end of a way of life.

"Interest in the allotments is growing and we have two good leek clubs which would go if the gardens went.

"This site has been here for more than 100 years and plots are passed down through generations.

"It is cracking soil and there isn't an alternative site anywhere nearby.

"The allotments are a haven for wildlife.

"We have identified 145 different species, including some which are in decline.

"It is an extremely emotive issue and we have great support behind us. None of us has any intention of moving.

"The Government is promoting healthy eating and exercise but we see houses being built on open spaces like this.

"It's not the council that is doing this. They are only caught in the middle."

Michael Paciorek, 78, an allotment holder for 43 years, said: "There is no way I am going to move."

Councillor Quinn met senior officers at Wear Valley on Thursday and has also enlisted the support of Hilary Armstrong MP.

The National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners is backing the campaign.

Regional representative Peter Horrocks said: "We see it happening all the time where desirable land used for allotments is displaced by housing. The allotment society would like to see all land made statutory land to prevent this happening."