Sutton is set to become home to the world’s first “vertical allotment” after plans to transform the town centre’s controversial “living wall” were unveiled.

Gardeners are to be invited to grow vegetables on the £130,000 wall of foliage above Wilko’s in Sutton High Street in proposals the council hopes will ease pressure on its waiting list for allotments.

Adventurous horticulturists will use rock-climbing gear to reach the plots, where they will grow vegetables and herbs.

Would-be gardener Doug Fields, of Beddington, welcomed the plans after waiting six years in vain for a patch of land on which to grow potatoes.

He said: “Personally I prefer working in a horizontal allotment, but as long as it gets people out and moving I’m all for it.

“My only concern would be my spuds falling onto passers-by - people could really hurt themselves.

"Also, I’m not a big fan of mashed potato."

The vertical allotment plans were contained towards the end of the council’s 14,000-page Sutton 2031 masterplan and have only emerged today, someone finished reading the entire document for the first time.

Councillor Rose Whine, chair of the produce and horticulture committee, said in a statement released through the council’s press office, said: “The council is delighted with the inventive proposal outlined in our local plan to create first ever vertical allotments, which will help to feed Sutton residents throughout the summer.

“Food is, after all, what keeps Sutton residents alive and we are confident that that this scheme will help to achieve that.

“This new service will need volunteers from the community and we ask any residents, who preferably do not have a fear of heights, to come forward and assist this new venture.”