Some of the muck dumped by local farmers at the Moss Hall Lane Allotments, Cypress Point, is contaminated with a toxic herbicide which can wither crops or leave them grossly deformed.

Fylde Borough Council this week re-assured green-fingered growers that it was on top of the problem.

However it is still unknown how dangerous eating the fruits or vegetables could be.

Ben McCabe, who works for the Council looking after the allotments, said: "I got a phone call from a plot holder who said that some of his crops weren't going so well when he used manure.
"It turns out that it's because of this pesticide and it's quite a widespread problem across the UK.
"I went down there and put a notice up saying 'do not use this manure' and a sign saying 'do not dump any manure'.
"I will be writing to plot holders to advise them not to use it because you have to be careful."

An informal agreement, which has been in place for a number of years, means that local farmers leave their manure at the site for plot holders to use.

But because it comes from a number of different sources it is impossible to pinpoint exactly where the bad batch had come from.

The contaminated manure originates from farms where the hormone-based herbicide aminopyralid has been sprayed on fields.

The problem has been affecting vegetable growers across the country, with many gardeners complaining of crops failing following the addition of manure to the land.

Cam Scott, who is Secretary of the Moss Hall Lane Allotments, said: "One or two of the lads have complained that their potatoes or tomatoes have come up wrong but then again plenty of have used it without any problems.

"I don't think it's dangerous, I think it just stunts the vegetable's growth, there's only one way to find out I suppose!
"We've been told not to use it so we're just waiting to see what happens."

Dow AgroSciences, which manufactures aminopyralid, has posted advice to allotment holders and gardeners on its website.

The Dow website says: "As a general rule, we suggest damaged produce (however this is caused) should not be consumed."

Fylde Borough is now planning to take away the contaminated manure and find a regular supplier for the site.