And the borough council has recently presented awards to people for the best-kept sites.

Cllr Elizabeth Nockolds, cabinet member for sports, arts and open spaces, explained: "We have very strict criteria against which we judge all the allotments. We really had our work cut out this year as the standard was so high."

Judging took place at the beginning of July and the Borough Mayor, Cllr Michael Pitcher, presented the awards and certificates to the winners.

Best Indvidual allotment: 1 Sharpin's Field, Melvin Fisher, Exton's Road, Lynn (last year's winner); 2 Old Gala Ground, Mr and Mrs D Jolley, Tamarisk, Grange Estate,Gaywood (best beginner last year); 3 Old Gala Ground, Mrs Ludmila Gudkova, Harewood Drive, Lynn; 4 Sharpin's Field, Mr G. S. Knights, Coastguard Cottages, Crossbank Road, North Lynn; 5 Drakes Field, Stan Macijausikas, Dobby Drive, Lynn.

Highly commended best kept individual certificates: Gordon Smith, Drakes Field; Charlie Hall, Sharpin's Field and Stuart Howard , Ferry Road, West Lynn.

Best managed site: 1 Sharpin's Field Allotment Association, £75; 2 Drakes Field Allotment Association, £50.

Best beginner: 1 Gaywood Park, Peter Dexter, Bishops Road, Gaywood; 2 Dawn Rawlinson, Goodwins Road, Lynn; 3 North Lynn, Roger Wilson, North Star Court, North Lynn.

Highly commended: Frank Jacklin, Winfarthing Avenue, South Lynn; Jane Fryett and Nick Dawson, 960 Sharpin's Field.

Commended beginner: Richard Troop, 978 Sharpin's Field; Colin Wareham, Wardles Chase.

Best individual site, North Lynn: Joint winners: Mrs Joan Dixon, Le Strange Avenue and Mrs G. Hancock, Le Strange Avenue, North Lynn.

If anyone is interested in taking on an allotment they can contact me direct on 01553 616273.