GARDENING fanatics are set to convene for the annual Over Allotments open day.

The annual open day, on Moss Bank, will take place on Saturday, July 25 from 10am until 4pm.

This year’s open day has a range of stalls, including an exhibition of paintings of Over Allotments by Winsford artist, Derek Johnson.

“This is the busiest day of our year,” said John Malam, chairman of Over Allotments Association.

"The gates open at 10am for the public to stroll along Lettuce Lane, Apple Alley and enjoy a cuppa at the Thyme Square tea shed."

The 59 plots at Over are fully let by Winsford Town Council, and demand is so high that a new site has just been opened on Station Road, Wharton.

Mr Malam said: “It shows how popular allotment gardening is in Winsford.

“No doubt when visitors come along on the open day and see what can be grown in even a small space, it’ll encourage more people to have a go for themselves.”

Winsford town mayor, Cllr Ailsa Gaskill-Jones, will award prizes for best plots at midday, including the much-coveted Dempster Challenge Cup, Winsford's oldest community award, which has been awarded annually for the Best Plot since 1926.