Members of an Oxford allotment association are urging residents to go out and get digging.

A decline in people taking up plots at the Mill Lane allotments, in Mill Lane, Old Marston, has worried its members - especially site manager Bill Agent.

Mr Agent, 70, said the allotments had previously had a waiting list, but in the past couple of years interest had dwindled and now there were plots going spare.

Almost a third of the 37 plots are currently vacant, and Mr Agent, of St Nicholas Park, Old Marston, fears that unless people start using the site it will fall into decline or could face closure and redevelopment.

He said: "The allotment has been threatened twice with possible development, in 1990, and again in 1997, but was opposed then by residents in the area.

"At the time, everyone said they couldn't be developed and that they were important to the area, but we never see these people down here.

"We need everyone to come down and take up a plot and get it back to how it was.

"This land belongs to the local community and they should come out and support it. It's rich land that's fantastic for growing vegetables in, and it only takes a little bit of work to do it."

The land the allotments are on is owned by Old Marston Parish Council, which transferred the management of the land to the allotment association in 1998.

Mr Agent said: "My worry is that if people stop using the land, then the parish council may be tempted to sell to developers and once it's gone we can't get it back."

Oxford City Council has already pinpointed nearby Court Farm allotments for possible development in its strategic housing land availability assessment.

However, parish council chairman Charlie Haynes said there were no plans to sell the Mill Lane site.

Mr Haynes said: "There are very few little nuggets like this left in Oxford, and it's not the intention of the parish council to sell this land.

"I'm surprised to hear there has been a decline in the number of people using the site and I would urge everyone to get down there and take advantage of it."

Barry Marsh, 30, who took on a plot at the site last year, backed the calls to attract new allotment holders.

Mr Marsh, of Mill Lane, said: "I'd like to see more people down there growing fresh vegetables and being part of the community.

"It's great to get out there on a nice day and get some fresh air, and you have something to show for your hard work."

Anyone interested in taking on a plot, can call Mr Agent on 01865 250465 or see the website www.oldmarston-pc.gov.uk/allotments