Harvest lost as grenades crop up in allotment

GARDENERS at one allotment are to lose all their crops – as their plots are dug up to look for war-time explosives.

Bomb disposal experts will sweep the Leven allotments, in Fife, for ordnance after gardeners dug up grenades.

Fife Council said the decision to clear the veg at the peak of the growing season had ‘not been taken lightly’ and that it would refund all holders’ annual rent.

Access to the site was restricted from yesterday.

Peter Duncan of 1st Line Defence, the company contracted to carry out the work, said: ‘We’ve contacted plot holders directly to apologise for the inconvenience and have met with many, both on site and at an arranged meeting, to talk over the advice and support we can provide during this period of disruption.’

The council said initial scans of sample areas were ‘non-conclusive’ but areas had been highlighted that require further immediate investigation.

Leven, Kennoway and Largo councillor Colin Davidson said: ‘I don’t think they are going to find any live ordnance devices but the council is taking extreme precaution because children use the allotments, pupils from Parkhill Primary School are there regularly.’

The site of the allotments, opened earlier this year as part of a redevelopment of the park, was used for training Polish soldiers during the war.

‘Taking extreme precaution’