GARDENERS who once faced being turfed off their allotments are now running courses to find the next generation of growers.

Users of Preston Lane allotments, in Eaglescliffe, spent years fighting Stockton Borough Council to stay put and run their own plots.

And now, after securing a ten-year lease, the gardeners are opening their gates to newcomers to help them grow their own fruit and vegetables.

A grant of £3,500 was secured from the National Lottery and has funded a classroom, hand tools, a prepared allotment and a compost toilet.

Secretary John Doherty said three out of five people who have taken on gardens haven't succeeded.

So a course has been organised to allow newcomers to learn by working on the learners' garden, week by week, during the growing season.

Mr Doherty, who has gardened on the site for 30 years, said: "When they have completed the ten-week course, they will know exactly what is involved and how to get cracking on their own gardens."

Richard Crouch, who is teaching the course and has a prize-winning allotment in nearby Egglescliffe, hopes young people will take an interest.

"There is no need to import lettuce from Spain or asparagus from Peru," says Mr Crouch. "Fresh fruit and vegetables of all sorts can be grown here in Eaglescliffe.

"Growing them is good exercise and good fun - the satisfaction is enormous."

Mr Crouch is keen to stress the environmentally-friendly aspects of the project.

He said: "We want to show people that you don't have to throw chemicals at a garden to make it grow.

"The compost toilet is a perfectly safe and hygienic alternative to a flush toilet, and doesn't waste seven litres of top-quality water every time you use it.

"We are hoping to generate our own electricity from the sunlight and store it in special batteries for lighting and power."

The course begins on Tuesday, April 11, and runs for ten evenings. There are still places available with Stockton council's Adult Education Service. To book a place, contact (01642) 528121.