THE dawn of the New Year marked the end of Langcliffe allotments.

The allotment holders were given notice to quit a few months ago, with their tenancies running out on December 31.

And, last week, they gathered for a final time to say "goodbye" to the land.

A spokesman for the group said that even though the allotments had been lost, the spirit of the Langcliffe community was as strong as ever.

The allotments were cultivated more than 100 years ago and, in a letter to the Craven Herald this week, Gareth Croll, of Long Preston, said bulldozers had already moved in.

The land is owned by the Langcliffe Estate.

Phil Scott-Priestley from agents GSC Grays said: "The tenancies came to an end on December 31 and the land is currently being stock fenced and returned to agriculture.

"There are no bulldozers on site but a 360 digger was required to clear the site of waste, brash, scrub and rubbish before grass re-seeding takes place.

"The former tenants were offered an alternative site by the Estate for their allotments when advance notice (October 2013) was given to end their annual licences, although there was not a positive response to this offer."