GARDENERS in Kirkbymoorside are turning to the Ombudsman to protect their plots.

The allotment holders claim their attempts to buy the 80 plots in the town's Gillamoor Road, are being thwarted by North Yorkshire County Council.

The authority's bid, through its agents Mouchel, to have the land designated for housing to capitalise on the prime 3.5-acre site failed at a planning inquiry.

Members of Kirkbymoorside Allotments Association have been trying to buy the land. But their attempts have been frustrated because of the county council's reluctance to negotiate, said chairman Neville Kirby.

Rents were increased from £700 a year to £1,000 - an increase cut to £850 a year following protests.

Now the association is asking the Local Government Ombudsman, Patricia Thomas, to step in and carry out an inquiry.

Barry Shackleton, a committee member, said: "The county council has already said the land is surplus to its requirements.

"We need to have a price. We have asked for one, but so far they have not made any offer.

"The longer this runs, the more the county council is putting itself in the wrong. They are shooting themselves in the foot."