A NATIONAL group has taken up the cudgels for allotment holders in Hyndburn who are being hit with a hike in their rent.

The National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners, which has more than 120,000 members, has written to council bosses calling for urgent talks.

Anger is growing after the council announced it was putting up rents because each allotment costs taxpayers £240 to run each year.

But local growers fear they will have to abandon their hobby as their rents soar over the next five years.

Frank McVan, who tends a plot in Baxenden, said his annual rent is going up from £34.45 in 2012 to £90 in 2013.

It will then rise to £130 in 2014, £170 in 2015 and £200 in 2016.

David Morris, the North West director of the NSALG, said: “They do seem to have real problem in Hyndburn.

“If the information is correct that is costs taxpayers £240 for every plot, something is very wrong somewhere.

“Then there are water rates on top of that so to increase rent is extraordinary.

“We desperately need to get together to discuss this.”