A group set up to secure the future of beloved allotments has hit its target of raising £50,000.

Great Ayton Allotment Working Group has raised the sum in support of a community funding bid to purchase the current allotment site.

The ten-acre site, on Guisborough Road,was put up for sale by its owners last September, along with an adjacent area of grassland.

The timing of the General Election has meant the outcome of an application to the national Community Ownership Fund will be delayed, but the group are remaining positive that their bid will be a success.

Members had a stall at the recent Great Ayton Village Fete, which demonstrated the continued level of support from the local community and businesses. More than £1,000 was raised from the sale of local produce and a recipe book written by Trish Fortune, illustrated by artist Ian Chinnock. The book outlines the origins of allotment fruits alongside a range of sweet and savoury recipes.

Donations can be made online via www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/greatayton-allotments.