Allotment-ban Wem nursery seeks TV chef James Martin's help

Nursery owners in Wem are looking to enlist the help of celebrity chef James Martin after they were controversially banned from taking children to allotments in the town over of health and safety fears.

Stables Day Care Nursery in Wemsbrook Road regularly took children to the allotments in Love Lane, which are run by Wem Town Council, in an effort to help them grow their own produce and learn about food.

But following complaints from other allotment users and councillors' concerns about health and safety, the town council decided to call time on the children's visits.

Nursery bosses met Mr Martin at last weekend's Shrewsbury Flower Show.

Beccy Ahmad, owner of the nursery, said: "I got chatting to James Martin at the Shrewsbury Flower Show who seemed very interested. He thought it was ridiculous and couldn't believe what I was saying to him.

"He took my phone number and email address and said he was going away but when he came back he would get in touch with me – so fingers crossed. Hopefully it is only a matter of time before someone helps us."

The council's decision was labelled a disgrace by nursery staff, who say they have received support from all over the country. An online petition has been launched to try and get the government to step in and overturn the ban.

Councillor Peter Broomhall, mayor of Wem, said the issue went through the full town council and members had made their final decision.

A spokeswoman for Mr Martin said he was currently working abroad and was unavailable to comment.

See also:

• Wem child allotment ban leads to cress vow
• Let them eat cress, council tells nursery