ALLOTMENT rents in Darlington are being increased by five per cent to £31.16 a year.

Darlington Borough Council's cabinet committee agreed to the increase for its 780 allotment plots on 14 sites.

The council's Leisuresaver scheme allows a 50 per cent reduction in the rent.

Of the 686 plots with tenants, about 300 qualify for the reduction.

Last year's rent charge was £29.68, with Leisuresaver card holders paying £14.48 a year.

Rents in some other local authorities in the North East are between £25 to £30 in Hartlepool, depending on plot size, £26.50 in Middlesbrough, and £28 in Stockton borough.

Those authorities also offer 50 per cent discount schemes.