A PARISH council has launched a bid for cash from the Government's New Opportunities Fund to buy and regenerate a village allotment site.

The privately-owned allotments came under threat of closure two years ago.

Now, Barton Parish Council has applied to the fund through the Royal Society for Nature Conservation to pay for the compulsory purchase of the land and introduce several environmental projects.

The grant would pay up to 80 per cent of the compulsory purchase order costs and fund the building of raised beds for less-able gardeners, the creation of a wildlife area, the planting of willow trees for a renewable resource, and the publication of literature to promote composting, recycling and healthy eating in the community.

The scheme has the backing of North Yorkshire County Council's Local Agenda 21 team and has received advice from the Yorwoods forestry organisation, the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Yorkshire Bat Group, and the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners.

Anne McFadzean, parish council chairwoman, said: "The importance of allotment gardening as a valuable contribution to healthy living has long been recognised.

"Our intention is to not only save and improve the site at Barton, but to extend the benefits of growing fresh and inexpensive food to the wider community."

The scheme also aims to increase the diversity of bird and animal life in the allotments which, in turn, will improve crops and lower the need for poisonous insecticides.