The days of allotments being a hobby for old men in flat caps are gone. CHRIS JOHNSON explores the emerging breed of gardening enthusiasts.

Faith Abiola-Ellison is one woman contributing to the mini-renaissance in allotments.

The 43-year-old mother-of-one certainly does not fit the traditional description of plot holders: old men with rolled-up chequered shirts, a flask and a pipe protruding from their mouth.

Earlier this month Mrs Abiola-Ellison of Beacon Road, Hither Green, managed to secure a plot at Chinbrook Meadows in Grove Park - one of Lewisham Council's 36 allotment sites.

The allotment has a total of 54 plots and is flanked by Elmstead Woods in the direction of Bromley and Chinbrook Meadows towards Grove Park.

Mrs Abiola-Ellison said: "It's absolutely beautiful here and a great place to come and escape to and relax.

"I come down about twice a week and juggle my gardening with being a mum to my 23-month-old son Adisa and working part-time at Southwark Primary Care Trust.

"I've spoken to one plot holder who has been based here around 30 years and he said there is a wider diversity of people from the community getting plots."

Earlier this month, National Allotment Week was launched with claims of allotment revival.

As Lewisham deputy mayor Heidi Alexander explained: "We've seen a real change in the types of people wanting an allotment.

"It's no longer just a hobby for older men. On our 36 allotment plots you can see parents growing food for their children and groups of friends interested in the environment."

Mrs Abiola-Ellison says one of the biggest motivating factors behind her allotment plot is her son.

She said: "I think it is so important for children to understand where food comes from, that it doesn't just come in packets from supermarkets.

"I've always been into healthy eating, attending farmers' markets. There is something very rewarding about eating what you've grown yourself."

But as the hobby becomes more and more popular, residents are facing longer waiting times for certain plots.

Mrs Abiola-Ellison was lucky and managed to get her current plot almost immediately.

But she was only number 17 on a waiting list for the Blythe Hill allotment site in Catford, which would have meant a long wait.

Some sites have waiting times of more than six years.

Now, 21st-century gardener Mrs Abiola-Ellison is in the process of preparing her patch and hopes to reap the fruits of her hard labour within the next year.

She added: "I've got a 30ft by 20ft plot, which is a big space to fill. My husband Menkaura is not as into gardening as I am, but I'm sure when things are looking juicy he might come along one day."