Allotment holders in Malvern may escape the threat of eviction that has hung over them for nearly five years.

The town council had been planning to take over the Madresfield Road allotments to extend the neighbouring cemetery. However, it is now considering a new cemetery at a separate location.

This was revealed when members of the Madresfield Allotments Association met councillors to express concern over the uncertainty that has dogged them since the authority took on responsibility for the land in 1999.

Eviction notices were issued to allotment holders that year in preparation for extending the cemetery, which will be full in five years, but their implementation was delayed as talks dragged on.

However, the allotment site will only extend the life of the cemetery by a further 20 years and the council is now examining the case for a longer-term solution.

John Fletcher, chairman of the Madresfield Allotments Association, said: "The councillors were unanimous in their hopes to retain the allotments. They agreed that Malvern already has insufficient allotments. Our future here just keeps changing. Our lease was meant to run out next March, then it was extended to 2007, but now we still don't know.

"It would be a real shame to leave our plots here, we have put a lot of TLC into it and the soil is good. Even if they throw us off it will still only be a short-term solution, the land isn't big enough."

Richard Chapman, the council's acting proper officer, said: "The council is currently deciding what to do with regard to the future of the cemetery. Discussions with Malvern Hills District Council will take place.

"Allotment holders have been informed of the situation. Though no decision has been made at the present time, the item will be on the town council's agenda within the next six months."