VILLAGERS who turned their dilapidated allotments into a thriving success said their triumph grew out of their biggest disappointment.

Eighteen months ago, Roddymoor allotments were in trouble with plots being left to go to ruin and no sense of community spirit.

Allotment holder Colin Hemingway was one of eight concerned people who banded together to form a committee, and now they are being lauded as a fine example of what dedicated volunteers can achieve.

Last year they applied for £70,000 from the Elite Hall Fund, a £500,000 pot left over from the cancelled refurbishment of the closed community centre in Crook.

The fund was decided through a public vote with all the money being allocated to plans for a new leisure centre in Crook.

Allotments secretary Mr Hemingway said: “Not getting any money from the vote gutted us at first, I was a bit bitter about it and we were all very disappointed, but it went on to galvanise us.

“We have found other ways to make our vision come true.”

Now the allotments are home to a new meeting room, the only community facility in Roddymoor, and the once derelict parcels of land are flourishing with all but two of the 50 plots taken and a further 30 mooted.

Mr Hemingway said: “In September 2012, these allotments were in a shocking state, everyone acted as an individual and there were no rules.

“Plots were left to go to ruin, they were unkempt and waste was just dumped in empty plots, it was simply unacceptable.”

Their transformation started slowly with a £200 grant from then county councillor for Crook North John Bailey.

Local businesses and tradesmen also rallied round, such as George Tomlinson, IC Davison, Billy Marley, Joe Pinkney, Jeff Craggs, Dale and Valley Homes and 2D.

They have also received funding from the Three Towns Area Action Partnership, Tow Law county councillor John Hart, UK Coal and the Big Lottery fund.

Mr Hemingway said: “The support has been amazing, this is a success story showing what dedicated people can achieve.”

The committee will now work with local schools, care homes and the Salvation Army to ensure the allotments are accessible to all.