Frustrated gardeners in Lichfield are calling for the city council to provide more land for allotments after the waiting list for plots spiralled to more than five years.

There are currently only 150 allotments for the entire city, despite more than 100 people joining the waiting list to lease their own patch.

The Lichfield District Allotments Society, which manages the plots on behalf of the city council, has even resorted to carving up the £30-per-year plots and sharing them between applicants in a bid to slash delays.

Pat Barden, aged 64, from Spearhill, Lichfield, chairman of the allotments society, has been working with the council on the search for space for four years.

He said: “We’ve had the problem for a few years now, but we have been looking and I’m happy with the efforts of the search. Obviously what I’m not happy about is the lack of space.

“We’re looking at possible plots alongside the council, but people are reluctant to release their land and a lot of it is tied up. The allotments are very popular because they’re enjoyable and inexpensive.”

District councillor John Walker, member for Curborough, said he has been ‘inundated’ with calls from residents who want to get their hands on their own plots.

“I’ve spoken to at least 50 people who say they’d like to have their own allotments, but they just don’t have the chance to get them. A waiting list of five or six years is immense.”

“We’re constantly being encouraged to eat healthily, take exercise and get out into the fresh air. Having an allotment lets you do all of these things and I think the council should be providing more space for it.

“There are a few patches of land coming up and I’m really hoping they can go and get some space.”

Peter Young, Lichfield City Council clerk, said he is hopeful of securing two possible sites for use as allotments.