HUNDREDS of keen gardeners are queuing up to get their very own plot of goodness.

Now summer is here, green-fingered growers are taking to their vegetable patches to plant seeds.

And the latest Bolton Council figures show many more want to follow suit.

The local authority runs 36 allotments with a total of 1,100 plots.

According to town hall bosses, 625 people are currently on a waiting list for a plot.

Veteran gardener Jerry Taylor, aged 62, of Christ Church Lane, Harwood, said the figures shows the popularity of gardening.

He added: “People, especially the retired, have more time on their hands.

“They want to try new ways of keeping fit and like eating veg that hasn’t travelled far or isn’t covered in packaging like veg you get at supermarkets.”

However, others pointed out the waiting list figures might be misleading.

John Waddington, of Bury, has organised horticultural shows across the North West and said would-be plot holders should look into joining the Incredible Edible group, which grows flowers, fruit and veg on public land.

He said: “Waiting lists can be deceptive. People set out very enthusiastic, but when they get a plot, some don’t realise the sheer amount of dedication that’s needed and they often don’t stay.

“Incredible Edible lets people have a trial run.”

One such group is Incredible Edible Bromley Cross, whose helpers have transformed a grotspot at Hough Lane into a community garden and grow produce in polytunnels at The Last Drop Village.

They also run projects are at Bromley Cross Village Hall and Birtenshaw School.

One of the organisers, Sharon English, said: “Although we only formed in May last year, great progress has been made to establish new projects, get ourselves known in the community and gather a great team of volunteers together.

“We are open to anyone in the Bradshaw, Bromley Cross, Egerton and Chapeltown areas. You really get to know people and it’s lots of fun.”

Visit incredible-edible-bromleycross.co.uk for details.