For the first time in several years, Skipton Town Council has several allotments up for grabs – and no one knows quite why.

The council, which has two sites at Middletown and at Broughton Road, has always had a waiting list of green-fingered residents keen to get digging.

But it currently has several plots – ready and waiting for immediate occupation, and for just £1 per week.

Dave Parker, the council’s chief officer, said it was a highly unusual situation that he suggested could be down to changing fashions.

“The demand always increases whenever television cookery programmes talk about the benefits of growing your own veg – and they haven’t done that for a while,” he said.

Other likely reasons could be tenants moving out of the area and giving up their plots, or a belief waiting for a plot could take years.

“For at least the last five years, we’ve had a significant waiting list for allotment plots and at times, the waiting time has been anything up to 18 months,” said Mr Parker.

In the last couple of years, the council has addressed the problem by opening up new plots and making more efficient use of the land available.

“We’ve managed to offer plots to everyone on the waiting list and, because a number of existing tenants have very recently given up their plots, we are in a position where we can now offer allotments on demand.”

The council has two main sites, at Middletown and Broughton Road, with the bulk of the current vacancies at Middletown.

The cost of a plot is just £52 per year, or £1 per week.

Mr Parker added: “This is an ideal opportunity for anyone who hasn’t got a garden of their own, or who would like extra space to have a go at growing their own.

“We know that a number of people choose not to go on the waiting list in the past because of the length of the wait. Now is the time to come forward - although the number of plots is limited, so I would urge anyone interested to get in touch with us as soon as they can.”

Anyone interested in a plot can get more details from the town council’s offices above Barclays Bank, High Street, or by phoning 01756 794357.