Lib Dems get down to earth!

11.35.51am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 30th Aug 2008

Sarah, John Rosser, Treasurer of the Hereford Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Society Ltd and prize winning Allotmenteers at Rockfield Allotments Hereford.

Liberal Democrat campaigner, Sarah Carr, today visited Rockfield Allotments in Hereford to give her support to National Allotment Week (August 11-18) where she was greeted by John Rosser Treasurer of Hereford Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Society.

Sarah Carr commented: "Food prices are going through the roof. People also want to know more about where their food comes from. No wonder allotments are getting more and more popular - not least here in Herefordshire!

"Allotments are a great way for people to get cheap, local, healthy food. There are almost no food miles and allotment holders can also choose to cut right back on chemicals.

"I know there's a waiting list of over 100 people for allotments in Hereford City with up to a five year wait. Responding to the increasing demand for allotments I will be raising the availability of land with Hereford City Council. I am delighted that Ross Town Council recently released a new strip of land for new allotments in Tudorville, Ross. It's essential that we have more allotments so that people have the chance to grow food."

This years gardeners across the country are also celebrating the centenary of the "Small Holdings and Allotment Act" of 1908 which gave every citizen the right to an allotment.