CAMPAIGNERS who have been fighting a long-running battle to save allotment plots in Eastleigh from being sold for housing will be digging deep for victory on Saturday.

Eastleigh and Bishopstoke Allotment Association will be staging a fun and fundraising day in a bid to raise cash to finance its case at an April public inquiry ordered by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

Allotment holders have battled for more than two years to save the plots they have cultivated for decades from being covered by new homes.

Meanwhile, council chiefs have argued that moving plot holders to alternative land would help meet a desperate need for affordable homes, as well as protect countryside areas for development.

The battle is due to go before a government-appointed planning inspector to make a ruling on whether civic bosses are within their rights to dispose of two allotment sites in the town on April 26.

The inquiry is expected to last four days and the allotment association estimates it will need about £8,000 to cover the cost of its case.

Treasurer Ted Ingram told the Daily Echo: "What we are trying to do is fund it from donations rather from the general fund if we possibly can.

"Most of our expert witnesses are giving their services free of charge, but there are travel expenses to consider and we will have to pay for our solicitor."

Now, "anybody and everybody" is being invited to a 10am to 4pm event at the Guide Hut in Woodside Avenue, Eastleigh, on Saturday which will feature a bring and buy sale, chilli kits, jugglers, a produce sale, books, sunflower kits for children and a raffle.

There will also be gardening advice, guided tours of the Woodside allotments plus updates, video clips, information and photographs of the campaign.

Entry will be free but the association is hoping people will throw money into collecting buckets near the entrance.

Mr Ingram said: "We will be able to talk to anybody about how the campaign is going and the reasons why we are still challenging the council."