WHILST the plight of the long-standing allotment-holder can be understood, (March 28), let’s hope those who may lose their plots to new holders embrace their presence rather than starting ‘plot wars.’ It would be easy for a ‘them and us’ situation to occur, as it’s obvious the current multi-plot holders have already taken umbrage towards this new blood the council is planning to introduce.

But those families on the waiting list seeking a stab at The Good Life are in fact trying to show their children there are alternatives to watching TV and playing endless computer games. Helping mum and dad on the allotment will provide far more exercise and fresh air than that blasted Wii gimmick.

Let’s have the local allotment-holders’ version of Alan Titchmarsh or Monty Don as the kids’ heroes, rather than Lara Croft or Sonic the Hedgehog. In the name of good community spirit, let us hope the current holders use the situation to gain the respect of the newbies by sharing their horticultural knowledge and skills by passing them on to younger generations, rather than what would be an awful allotment civil war of ill feeling and resentment.

ALAN BURRIDGE, Blandford Road, Upton