ALLOTMENT holders are plotting a revamp to keep their gardens blooming well into the next century.

Members of the Rosedale and Victoria Allotment Association, Willington, have been drawing up plans for an improvement programme to smarten up the site and make it more sustainable.

The transformation will be funded with grants from the County Durham Foundation and a Single Regeneration Budget scheme to revitalise former coalfield communities in the Wear Valley.

Groundwork West Durham has helped with a design, and plans will be submitted to Wear Valley District Council's planning office shortly.

Design ideas include new fencing and composting facilities, regeneration of derelict plots, a wildlife and seating area and a community tree nursery.

Primary school children will be taking party in seed collecting days so that native trees can be grown in the tree nursery and transplanted in town.

Association secretary Paul Archer said that an open day had been successful and membership was increasing rapidly.

He said: "People in the allotment association are really starting to pull together to make these changes happen. Everyone is looking forward to work starting in the new year.