ALLOTMENT holders fear for the future of their site as their grant money runs out.

For the past two years, allotments on Woodhouse Close Estate, Bishop Auckland, have survived on a £500 grant from Wear Valley District Council.

But the money has run out and there is no more.

Committee members said they had been left with a fence to repair, potholes in roads and equipment to hire, but without the cash to do it.

One member, who did not want to be named, said: "We have had people causing trouble on the allotments and we want our fence repaired to keep people out.

"But it is way too expensive, money we just don't have."

Committee members are now appealing to Groundwork, an environmental regeneration charity, that helps communities in need of investment.

At least £200 of the council grant remains, but repair quotes have been more.

The committee member said: "We hope that Groundwork will get involved.

"This has come as a real shock to us. So many people use the allotments and it will be a real shame if we cannot continue with it. People will just have to look after it as best they can."

Over the past few years, the allotments have been targeted by troublemakers, who have broken into sheds and stolen equipment or used the site as a place for drug-taking.

The committee members said there had been some improvements over the past few months, but they are concerned for the future if they cannot afford to protect their land.

Mark Rowland of the regeneration department at Wear Valley District Council said: "The Small Projects Fund administered by Wear Valley District Council offers small grants of up to £500 to community groups in the Bishop Auckland area.

"It is a four-year scheme and is scheduled to finish at the end of this financial year, at the end of March, when the funding allocated to it is exhausted."