ALLOTMENT holders in West Malvern will soon benefit from a new irrigation system.

Plans for the system, at allotments near the playing fields, will go ahead after the parish council agreed to fund public liability insurance for the plots.

The insurance is required so work can begin to install more than 100m of new pipes and three new taps, although councillors agreed at a meeting this week that they also had a duty of care as landlords to provide insurance cover for their tenants.

More details will be discussed when West Malvern Allotment Association meets on November 1.

A condition of the insurance is that all allotment holders will have to be members of a national allotment association, at a cost of £1.75 per year.

It was agreed that allotment holders should pay the charge, although how they will pay awaits further discussion.

Other developments in West Malvern include plans to create a small grove of spindle trees in the community woodland and the extension of a curb at the corner of West Malvern Road and Old Hollow.

The curb extension is in response to claims from residents that turning vehicles are damaging a boundary wall at 132 West Malvern Road.

Further consideration is being given to acquiring new equipment for the children's play area. It was agreed that a rustic theme would be desirable.

Repairs to existing equipment in the play area were approved, and the popular 'monkey house' is to get a new roof.