LAND off Sling Lane, Malvern, could provide a new home for local allotment holders if the town council gets its way.

The council wants to move the allotments, currently on Madresfield Road, to make way for an extension to the neighbouring cemetery, which is rapidly filling up.

The Sling Lane land is currently owned by Malvern Hills District Council. This week, the town council said it was willing to take over the Sling Lane fields, as long as the district did not impose any restrictions on their use.

John Fletcher, secretary of the Madresfield Road Allotments Association, said: "We don't want to move, but we recognise the problem the council has with the cemetery. If we do have to move, Sling Lane is the best option."

"The town council is very supportive of the association and the next decision is down to the district council."

In 2004, the district council proposed turning the field over to Newtown Sports FC, but withdrew its offer after protests from local residents. Heart of Malvern Residents' Association, which was formed in the wake of that protest, is meeting on Thursday, October 20, at Lansdowne Methodist church hall, at 7.30pm.

Chairman John Denham said: "We wouldn't have any problem with the town council taking over the land; they're a publicly accountable body. We would have concerns about exclusive use by the allotment holders."