THE cost of growing your own fruit, veg and flowers is set to go up for the allotment holders of Malvern.

From January 2009 the annual rental charge for a 250 sq metre plot is expected to be £50 a year.

Members of the finance and administration committee of Malvern Town Council, which owns 139 allotment plots on three sites in the town, have agreed to increase the charges from the current £46 a year per 250 sq metre plot.

The current charge is slightly higher than the national average but considerably lower than some in other areas.

The allotment charges have undergone a number of rises over the past few years - in January 2005 they were £33 a year and they then went up to £43 a year in 2006 with concessions for those on benefits. All concessions will be removed from January 2008.

The new charges will be recommended to the full council when it meets on Tuesday, October 30.