A VILLAGE council is asking people to help it with a campaign to establish allotments.

Councillors from Great Burstead and South Green Village Council say although it has the power to provide allotments, it is difficult finding available land and coming up with the money to pay for it.

In an attempt to kick-start a campaign, it is asking residents, who are interested in taking up an allotment, to get in touch.

Martin Wakelin, leader of the village council, said there are no allotments in Great Burstead, South Green or Billericay.

He said: “If people write to us at the parish council saying they want allotments, then we will pick up the banner and take it forward.

“We can promote this, but we need people to help us manage the whole thing.

“Bands of local people will have more clout in terms of getting grant money, so we need to work with community groups.”

Councillors have received a handful of requests asking for more allotment space, which has sparked the wider appeal for more residents to get involved.

The nearest allotments are in Ramsden Heath and Basildon, but people are waiting more than two years to get their own patch for growing greens.

Plots can be rented for as little as £28 a year.

The credit crunch and increased environmental awareness are believed to be behind the surge in people of all ages wanting to lease land to grow their own fruit and vegetables.

Mr Wakelin added: “There’s a big vacuum in terms of allotments at the moment and we want to change that.

“Allotments provide exercise, fresh air, improve health and give people pleasure and it’s a link with our agricultural heritage. They also get to enjoy their own produce.”

Mr Wakelin said one option would be for the village council to join forces with Billericay Town Council to provide a joint allotment for both Billericay residents and those living in Great Burstead and South Green.

Billericay Town Council has been looking for allotment sites without success after Colin Burrough, of Sylvan Tryst, Billericay, began a campaign in August 2009.

Helen Philpott, clerk at Billericay Town Council, said: “Our members have been very disappointed not to have found any suitable land for allotments.

“I’m sure if the village council found a suitable site, our members would be very keen to assist in any way.”

To contact Great Burstead and South Green Village Council, call town clerk Kim Barford on 01277 652057 or e-mail kimbarford@tiscali.co.uk