Five allotment sites in Weymouth have been recognised for making space for wildlife.

Run by Weymouth Town Council, the allotment sites were presented with awards from the Dorset Wildlife Trust during National Allotments Week.

The theme of this year’s National Allotments Week celebrates biodiversity across all allotments in the UK, and plot holders have been praised for their efforts in making the sites wildlife havens.

A number of criteria make up the scheme for what is considered a ‘Wildlife Friendly Space’ from the trust, which is endorsed by the town council.

Plot holders were meeting the criteria from recycling and rainwater harvesting to planting different plants with crops to encourage pollinators.

In managing the sites, the town council has left fringes to grow and lightly managed the native hedging boundaries to encourage different wildlife.

The allotment sites that scooped awards include Westham Crossroads, Quibo Lane, Parsons Close, Sundown Farm and Goldcroft. The town council is looking to extend the scheme to other allotment sites in Weymouth.

A variety of wildlife has taken up residence across the allotment sites in the town, from badgers and foxes to slow worms and different bird species.

Bee keeping on an allotment site is also permitted and a couple of plots have been put over to bee hives. Another site has a dedicated communal wildlife area and pond that is maintained by those on the site.

The town council is hoping that this recognition from the Dorset Wildlife Trust will be the incentive for more plot holders to think about the subject and encourage more wildlife.

Cllr Matt Bell, chairman of Weymouth Town Council’s Environment and Services Committee, said: “A big thank you to our plot holders for their efforts in making our allotment sites more wildlife-friendly, and to Dorset Wildlife Trust for recognising the fantastic work that has gone in to creating these rich habitats that will attract vital pollinators such as butterflies and bees.

“It’s very apt that this has been announced during National Allotments Week. Well done to all.”

The Wildlife Friendly Space scheme is open to anyone from an allotment plot to a garden.

For more information, visit https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife-friendly-garden

More information about Weymouth Town Council’s allotment sites and their locations are available online. Visit www.weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk/services/allotments.