A council is consulting with more than 400 allotment holders to see what they want for the future and how their needs can best be met.

To date there has been an encouraging response to the questionnaires given to allotment holders as they pay their annual rent.

Plot holders have until Thursday, May 20, to return the questionnaires.

There are seven allotment sites run by the council in Ferryhill, each of which have different demands and problems.

Some have issues about security, others have issues in regard to the use of allotments in their site.

The National Association of Allotments and Gardens Association recommends that allotment holders should have control of their allotment sites and be self-managing.

The council has accepted this and is encouraging it by offering considerable discounts on rent for those sites that are self-managing.