ACRES of unused land across Bolton could be turned into new allotments in a bid to meet soaring demand for plots.

Even though Bolton has 1,000 allotments across 37 sites, there are more than 200 people on the waiting list and many people face a wait of up to five years.

Now influential think tank, the New Local Government Network (NLGN), which estimates more than 100,000 people nationwide are waiting for a plot, is calling on authorities to make use of unused brownfield sites.

The NLGN, which launches a new report called Can You Dig It? Meeting Community Demand for Allotments today, is starting a fresh Dig For Britain campaign, similar to the Government pleas for people to grow their own food during the Second World War. And Bolton Council has said it will look at every option available, including working with partners, to meet the demand.

A council spokesman said: “We are aware of this report and are supportive of any efforts to encourage people to grow their own food. We are currently conducting our own review looking at ways of maximising the space available for allotments in the borough.

“We are also working with our partners in the health services, voluntary and community groups to look at other ways of developing sites and encouraging as many residents as possible to get involved and get healthy by growing their own produce.”

Allotment holder Vicky Urmston, of Horwich, urged the council not to neglect the plots it already manages.

She said: “Allotments are very important and there is clearly a need for them. I think there are a lot of unused plots which I would like the council to invest in the management of and bring back into use.”

The NLGN says the number of plots across the country has dramatically fallen in the last 60 years with just 200,000 compared to 1.4 million in the 1940s.

Chris Leslie, director the NLGN, said: “Allotments can help to keep people fit, encourage healthy eating, reduce carbon footprints and save money on food.”