LAND earmarked for burials in Gillingham could be used in the meantime for allotments.

Land adjacent to Stour Meadows and to the Drovers Land is under consideration by members of Gillingham Town Council for possible purchase as burial grounds.

But with space at the town's cemetery thought to be sufficient for a further eight years, any area purchased for burials could be used in the meantime to deal with the demand for allotments, say councillors.

The popularity of allotments has grown in the town, with a waiting list of 61 would-be gardeners on the council's books.

Between 25 and 30 plots are currently in use by Gillingham's gardeners after the council divided some of its larger plots to accommodate those waiting.

Land on the edge of the town might be available to the town council to increase its allotment space.

Councillors have approached an agent acting on behalf of the owners of a family farm and are awaiting a response.

Space between the existing allotments and a nearby river was considered by the council's officers but found to be too wet, a spokesman said.

Another option is to reopen the garden of remembrance for interments, but councillors have expressed concern over the reaction of Gillingham people to the move.

The council will discuss the matter further at a meeting of its general purposes committee, a spokesman said.