Melton Borough Council is meeting to discuss the problem at The Lake Terrace allotments in the town which are closed while further tests are conducted.

Under the Allotment Act, they are entitled to one year's rent, in this case, �32, as well as compensation for lost crops and improvements.

Gardeners at Lake Terrace are calling for at least �250 each.

Poison produce

The allotments were closed in January when scientists found elevated levels of arsenic, chromium and cadmium in the soil.

Health officials have reassured members of the public that the levels are not dangerous but they want to carry out further tests on the site.

The outcome of the tests will not be known until the summer.

People have been warned not to eat vegetables grown on the site.

One tenant, Arthur Haupt, said: "It's been costing me over �5 a week just to buy my own vegetables.

"I also used to supply my step daughter and my sons and other people with vegetables.

"If it's going to cost me �5 a week and then there's next year as well because I won't be able to produce anything all through this year.

"That makes it two years and we're talking �500 or �600."

The council is estimating the total cost of cleaning the contamination at around �13,000.