GARDENERS at a village allotment face an uncertain future after their site was put up for sale by the council.

Nearly 50 gardeners from Shildon, Newton Aycliffe and Middridge are concerned that when Durham County Council sells Middridge Farm Allotments, they could be forced out by a new landlord.

Allotment treasurer Keith Ross said the first that gardeners knew of the proposed sale was when an estate agent contacted him to offer gardeners the three acres for £30,000.

He said: "There is no way we can afford that, if the price was reasonable, we could look to buy it ourselves.

"This came as a bolt out of the blue, we are worried about the future of the site that people have used for generations and invested a lot of time and money in."

The move follows a decision made by the council in the late-1990s to sell land it did not directly use and, in some areas, allotment associations have raised enough money to buy their sites.

A council spokesman said: "An estate agent was appointed and approached the allotment holders on our behalf, they were given the first chance to purchase the site at market value but declined.

"The sale would mean a change in landlord - the allotments will still remain."

But tenants fear that if a new landlord takes over the site rents could spiral.

Mr Ross said: "If someone pays £30,000 for the site, I cannot see them doing it for a £250 annual return. We are worried that if life is made too difficult and expensive for us, we will be forced to move on."

Allotment holders have teamed up with the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners to get legal advice.

Peter Horrocks, the society's regional representative, said: "I think the council has nothing less than a moral responsibility to ensure that this site remains as allotments or, if there is uncertainty, an alternative site should be provided.

"The fact people travel from neighbouring towns to this site shows there is the demand for such sites.

"There are so many benefits - it is a cheap form of recreation, healthy activity, promotes good diets and cuts down on food air miles, so these gardens should be protected."