CHARGES for Dorchester’s 300-plus allotments are to rise by an average of £2 next year.

Town councillors backed a call to put £1 on the rental fee and £1 extra for those who have access to a water supply taking the average annual charge up from £24.50 to £26.50.

The policy committee heard that the allotments are subsidised each year – with an income of £10,600 and expenditure of £12,200. The council runs five sites across the town.

Allotments are the only service which the town council has to provide.