THOUSANDS of pounds are to be spent improving security at allotments which have been hit by vandalism.

Ilkley Town Council approved the transfer of £10,000 from the capital projects budget to pay for fencing at the Leeds Road site.

Cllr Valerie Halton, who has had two meetings with allotments holders, said their priority was security.

She said: “I do feel that security - which is the council’s responsibility - is very much lacking.

Cllr Pauline Allon stressed it was sad that allotment security was such an important issue. She told the meeting a nearby site had recently been vandalised. Members voted unanimously to approve the funding for security fencing.

Last years a representative from the Leeds Road site called for tighter security after vandals ripped off doors and slashed at equipment with knives. Maurice Wilson claimed the council was not carrying out any maintenance and he asked councillors to work with allotment holders to protect the site.