THE allotment service offered by Darlington Borough Council is to be reviewed after an increased interest in gardening in the town.

Darlington has 15 allotment sites and the council wants to provide better access to them, encourage self-management, attract external funding, involve young and disabled people, support conversation issues, minimise waste and improve security.

A spokesman for the council said: "Allotments are a wonderful stress-buster, they provide good cardiovascular exercise and are great for low cost healthy living."

The council has teamed up with Groundwork West Durham, which has experience of securing national funding for allotments.

As part of a promotional campaign on Saturday, there will be open days at three allotment sites in West Cemetery, Glebe Road and Barmpton Lane, from 11am to 3pm.

There will be a tombola, question and answer sessions and the chance to view working allotments and recently cleared plots.