Oxford City Council has denied that it fails to prosecute allotment vandals after gardeners complained that nothing was being done to protect their plots.

David Steel, strategy and support officer for the council's leisure services department, said: "We are not in principle against prosecuting those who trespass on allotments, however we obviously need evidence that would stand up in court.

"We would urge anyone who has information about the incident at Barton to contact Oxford Police."

His comments came after many plot-holders at Barton allotments said they were giving up their hobby after the site was again targeted by vandals.

A store shed was badly damaged by a fire, which destroyed tools belonging to five people. The incident was the latest in a string of attacks at the allotment, off Barton Village Road.

Mr Steel also said allotment users were offered reasonably priced insurance cover.

He said: "Allotments are self-managed by allotment holders' associations. However, we have been working with the Federation of Allotment Associations to offer insurance for allotment associations at a reasonable price.