A ROW has erupted between green-fingered residents and pub company bosses over proposals to change a former bowling green into an allotment site.

Members of the Ribble Valley Strategic Partnership have been looking for dis-used land in rural Lancashire to allow local residents to grow their own produce.

And the group spotted an opportunity for a growing scheme at a former bowling green behind the Indian Lounge Restaurant in Longridge.

But chairman of the partnership and Longridge councillor Rupert Swarbrick claimed that when he contacted the landowners, Enterprise Inns, he was told that they would not endorse the scheme.

He said: "There is an ever increasing interest in gardening and food growing projects and as a partnership we have received a grant to promote this in our area and this has generated a lot of interest from the local community.

"I was left very frustrated by the response that I received from Enterprise Inns because if you look at their website they are full of promise about being part of the community and reflecting modern concerns yet when presented with an opportunity to simply endorse a scheme at no cost to themselves they fall by the wayside."

The land bordering Market Place has been derelict for nearly 15 years and is behind the restaurant which was formerly known as the Dog Inn.

Coun Swarbrick said: "This is a real opportunity for them to engage with the local community and do something worthwhile and I really do hope that they will change their mind."

Bosses at the company confirmed that they were looking into the matter.

A spokesperson for Enterprise Inns, said: "We are currently reviewing our options for the land at the back of the pub with regards to what is best for the local community and for the business in the long term."