SKIPTON allotments tenants will join forces on Saturday (May 28) in a bid to encourage new members and highlight the benefits of 'growing your own'.

Children will be invited to take seeds away to plant and watch grow, while parents will be encouraged to sign up for a plot at the event at the side of the town hall jointly organised by the Middletown and Broughton Road allotment associations.

A spokesperson said: ’Allotments provide many benefits; plot holders mental and physical health is enhanced, and people feel part of a community especially by joining their association and surplus veg can be donated to charities such as the Community Fridge at the old school on Broughton Road.

"Crops can be pesticide free and organic, cost less than in the shops and taste better. Growing your own reduces food miles and carbon emissions and having a compost bin/heap recycles waste all of which have environmental benefits.

"Other voluntary supportive organisations include The Rotters providing advice on composting kitchen and garden waste, Incredible Edibles about planting in general, Men in Sheds a safe space for men to meet and woodwork, Exclusively Inclusive open to all, Trinity Community Allotment and Step into Action volunteers formed during the Covid emergency."

People can find out more on Saturday at the allotment holders stall outside the town hall from 9.30am to 3pm.