TESTS are to be carried out on a Derby allotment to determine whether contaminated asphalt dumped on the site has caused any lasting damage.

Members of Brigden Allotments Association say they have been left in limbo because, until Derby City Council completes the tests and reveals the results, the future of the site hangs in the balance.

The association leases the allotments in Brigden Avenue, Allenton, from the council and, last year, an allotment holder brought asphalt on to the site to lay a pathway.

But the material contained contaminated coal tar which, members fear, may have affected a larger area of land than just the plot where the asphalt was dumped.

Coal tar contains several chemicals, called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, some of which can be harmful to humans and some pose a risk to wildlife.

George Spellman, 74, secretary of Brigden Allotments Association, said: "We have been told that the council is going to take a sample from each plot off for testing."

The association leases the land from the council.

Steve Medlock, head of city council parks services, said: "We are confident that the contamination is contained to the areas where the asphalt was dumped but to reassure plot holders, we're taking random samples of soil in the surrounding plots.

"We'll be able to advise plot holders better once we have the results of these tests."