THE possibility has been raised of allotment land in Yarm being turned over to recreation.

At Tuesday's meeting of the town council, Coun Gwen Porter said a referendum would show up support for the idea.

And chairman Coun Liz Marsden agreed such a move was highly likely in the future. "Because Yarm is getting squeezed," she said.

The issue arose when Coun Eric Turton said the council needed to set guidelines as to just what it was trying to achieve with regard to recreation. "What ages do we cater for? Is it just to be walks round the town and recreation grounds," he said.

"This has a wide meaning for the town and is something by which we can make a significant contribution."

Coun Porter said: "In the very long term we must look at the best use which can be made of allotment land for the whole of the town.

"A referendum to see what people want would probably favour some of the land being used for activities such as bowling, tennis and putting."

It was agreed that councillors would list their own ideas and those of residents for a full discussion later