A DALTON allotments plot has become a prize-winning site.

The plot in Cow Heys was named the most improved site of 2003 in the annual Huddersfield Allotment Site Competition.

The sites were judged on overall impression, variety and quality of produce, cultivation of plots, the standard of paths and access ways and special features, such as seating or flowers.

Improvements at Cow Heys included having security fencing installed and arrangements being made for the site to be cleaned and tidied up.

Prevously, the site had been plagued by vandals and had fallen into disrepair, but now all the plots are taken.

David Hosley, of Kirklees Council's Leisure and Recreation Services, judged the competition with his colleagues and members of the Allotment Federation.

He said: "The standards of this year's entries were once again very good. The efforts and hard work of all the plotholders could still be seen.

"Cow Heys improved most from the previous year, more than others."

Mr Hosley encouraged people to get involved in allotment work.

He said: "It's a healthy way of life, fresh food and exercise. There are lots of sites with vacancies, but the uptake recently has been very good."

Cow Heys, like all the other sites in the contest, is owned by Kirklees Leisure and Recreation Services.

Other winning allotments included Woodfield Park at Lockwood, which was the winners for allotment sites of more than 25 plots.

Plover Road at Lindley won the prize for sites under 25 plots.

Individual plot winners for the open class were: 1 P Raynor, of Plover Road, 2 S Schofield, of Pontey Gardens, Waterloo, and 3 M Hart, of Pontey Gardens.

Individual winners in the novice class were: 1 R Hulme, 2 J Brennard and 3 M Peaker. All have plots at Plover Road.