A man who was ordered to leave his beloved allotment after it was deemed ‘uncultivated’ by the council has been given a second chance.

Paul Welles, 49, of Lower Court Road, Epsom, took on an allotment at Christchurch Mount in Epsom in 1996 to help manage his battle with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - the result severe childhood trauma.

Mr Welles, who was unemployed, became the full-time carer for his parents after his father suffered a brain tumour and his mother a heart attack last year, leaving him with less time to tend his allotment.

However with 100 residents currently on the waiting list for allotment plots, Epsom Council, which operates a ‘robust and fair management system’ for dealing with plots which are not properly worked, told him he had to give up his allotment by Sunday, November 6.

While he admits the plot is untidy, Mr Welles appealed to the council to give him a second chance.

He said: “The only escape I have is getting over the allotment.

“I have got PTSD so I don’t mix well with people and I’m on all sorts of medication.

“That was the main reason for me having a plot so I could do things my way.

“I get flashbacks and I take medication to try and calm that down and lots of valium. "

After being contacted by the Epsom Guardian the council agreed to allow Mr Welles to keep his plot given his circumstances.

A spokesperson for Epsom and Ewell Council said: “We do understand that from time-to time people find themselves in situations where managing a large plot can become unsustainable and we strive to work towards finding an agreeable resolution for both parties.

“Our head ranger met with Mr Welles on Monday, November 7.

“Both parties have agreed that Mr Welles will be retaining the plot and we will be sending him a new agreement in due course.”