A town has run out of allotment plots after a massive surge in residents wanting to grow their own food – which has even sent potential housing developments to the compost heap.

Civic leaders in Stroud are now seeking new land for allotments after the huge demand has left 'Full' signs and long waiting lists for the coming season.

Stroud Town Council owns five allotment sites across the parish. The sites at Spider Lane, Summer Street, Gannicox, Uplands and Bisley Old Road provide around 190 plots. Many are split into smaller plots to offer a more manageable growing option and serve in total more than 240 local families.

However a new survey has shown there are currently 25 people on waiting lists, with just two vacant plots.

The National Trust recently confirmed a rising interest in allotments with news that it would create 1,000 new plots on its land across the country.

Town councillors are hoping to follow suit by acquiring at least two new sites in the parish. An offer has already been made for a vacant site in the town owned by Gloucestershire County Council.

Seven years ago, just seven of the 50 plots on the Bisley Old Road Allotments were being used. This led to the site being promoted for housing as an alternative to greenfield sites on the edge of town.

In 2007, a big increase in plot holders led the town council to announce that plans to turn the site into a housing estate had been dropped. Now its two vacant plots are the only ones in a parish of 14,000 people.

Councillor Dave Cockcroft believes a number of factors have led to the big increase in people growing their own food, saying: "There has been a steady rise over several years, so I don't think it's all down to households having tighter budgets.

"People have clearly become more aware of the need to reduce food miles, are wanting to know where their food comes from, prefer organic and fresh produce, and have re-discovered the pure joy of growing your own food.

"There is the real buzz of knowing that you have paid virtually nothing for a large part of your dinner and it is so, so fresh because you can literally pick it and half an hour later it can be on your plate and it tastes fantastic."

The town council has just added a new page onto its website, www.stroudtown.gov.uk, offering details of all five allotment sites and contact details. However, in order to help plan future provision, it is keen to hear from people unable to get a plot.

"We hear of people who would love to take on a plot but haven't, either because there is not one close enough to their home, or the waiting list is too long," explained Dave Cockcroft. "People who find themselves in such positions should contact the Town Council office in London Road so that we can get an idea of where sites are most needed."