ALLOTMENT holders at Quaker Walk will have their rents increased by over £5 to help pay for better security.

Devizes Town Council's recreation and properties committee agreed to set aside £5,000 in next year's budget to install a security fence.

A survey by the town council showed that most allotment holders were happy to pay increased rents, provided security was improved at the site where there have been a number of break-ins recently.

Councillors were split on how much of an increase to introduce.

Currently the town council receives £530 rental income from the allotments. The rent for a full plot is £11 a year and £7.50 for a half plot.

Coun Ray Parsons said: "I'm a great supporter of allotments but it will take us at least 12 years to get £5,000 back based on the current rental."

He proposed that the rent go up to £25 for a full plot.

But Coun Don Jones said: "Although we are losing money on our allotments they are an amenity, £25 seems excessive to me."

He proposed that the rent should rise by inflation plus two per cent over the next five years.

After comparing Devizes to other town councils in Wiltshire which provide allotments, Coun Peter Evans suggested the rent should increase to £16.50.

Following a casting vote by chairman Coun Catherine Brown, councillors agreed to a rent of £16.50. This sum is to be increased annually by inflation plus two percent.