Honiton's long-awaited allotment plots could come to fruition this spring, with the cash secured to start building.

This will come as welcome news to many local residents who have waited years for allotments to be installed in the town.

A statement released today (17 Feb) said: "Honiton Town Council has secured £68,000 for the provision of allotment plots."

The financial contribution has been provided by developers of new housing, as required by East Devon District Council's planning policy.

This means building work can start to turn land already secured at Battishorne Way into allotment plots for people living in Honiton.

"It has inevitably taken some time to get to this stage as 2020 was disrupted by lack of council staff and Covid-19," continued the statement.

"The town council will now contract building of the allotment plots which will then be let to those gardeners on the waiting list.

"There is a council working group, drawing on experience of people who are not councillors, including Terry Darrant as chairman.

"It is planned to open this spring."

Terry Darrant said: "These will be the first allotment plots provided by the town council, which is even more important at the moment.

"Cultivating allotments can be a welcome social occasion, provides natural locally grown healthy food, promotes our mental health and helps our fitness and wellbeing."