Trust creating 140 new allotments

Cotehele House is to increase the number of allotment on its estate

The National Trust is to create 140 new allotments in Cornwall and Devon to help individuals and communities grow their own fruit and vegetables.

The move is part of a scheme by the trust to release enough land for up to 1,000 allotments across the UK by 2012.

The plans include new allotments at Wembury in Devon and adding to those available at Cotehele in Cornwall.

The release will be organised through the Landshare website, which matches growers with available land.

There's something in the air. More and more people want to grow their own fruit and vegetables National Trust director general Fiona Reynolds

At Wembury, about two hectares of land have been set aside for 40 plots, which will be the first allotments the site has had.

Digging is due to start in the spring, the trust said.

At Cotehele, which has provided allotments for many years, the trust said it was looking at how it could provide more plots over the next three years.

The trust is also considering opening more allotments at other sites in both counties.

National Trust director general Fiona Reynolds said the scheme tapped into the current mood of the public.

She said: "There's something in the air. More and more people want to grow their own fruit and vegetables.

"This isn't just just about saving money. It's really satisfying to sow seeds and harvest the fruit and veg of your labour."

The trust currently has more than 100 allotments in Devon and Cornwall spread across eight sites.