Allotment holders have been waiting almost two years for the all-clear to return to their plots after traces of white asbestos were found shortly after they were created.

This week the long delay seemed to be over when they were told that official investigations had found no evidence of the substance.

But their hopes were dashed when landowner Castle Morpeth Housing, which had put forward tentative plans for bungalows at the site, refused to give back the Margaret Street plots as it is considering its options.

Allotment holder Sheila Fraser said: "I'm gutted.

"I just thought as soon as this asbestos scare was cleared up once and for all we would get the allotments back for sure.

"I'm absolutely horrified at this news.

"This has been going on for two years and the Council kept promising we would get the allotments back."

The six allotments were created when Castle Morpeth Council approved moves to pull down derelict garages and hand the site over for cultivation.

However, tenants were ordered off the plots in September 2006, just months after they came into use, when the asbestos was discovered.

Villagers have always insisted the land was not contaminated, but the site was sealed off for formal investigations, and in December last year, the 'Herald' revealed plans to turn it into a car park.

Tenants were then told they would be able to use the gardens if the top soil was removed, but Castle Morpeth Housing, which took over the land as part of a Council stock transfer, announced plans to build six bungalows there.

Parish councillor Joe Sennett, who helped to set up the allotments and spent £10,000 of Council funds on pathways and fencing, spoke out at the scheme and is now demanding that the plots are returned to tenants.

"As far as I'm concerned the decision to turn this site into allotments was ratified by the full Borough Council, so who are these people just to undo that to suit themselves?" he said.

"If they are supposed to be working with the people they will leave the allotments alone.

"If it hadn't been for a small handful of asbestos the gardens would have been set two years ago and as far as I'm concerned the tenants should stand their ground.

"We are keeping the allotments come hell or high water — it's as simple as that."