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Green-fingered Joe Schofield, 11, is not like most kids his age. Rather than play on a games console, the New Waltham youngster would rather spend time digging, weeding and planting seeds. For Joe is one of North East Lincolnshire's youngest allotment gardeners - and his hard work on the Saltings allotment in Grimsby has now won him a prestigious award.

It all started when Joe was just two years old. As a toddler, Joe would spend time with his grandmother Kate Mowlem, helping her plant seeds in the garden - and his interest has continued for another nine years. Joe has won awards at the Saltings Allotment for two years running, and his hard work and dedication has now won him a regional award. Joe will be presented with North East Lincolnshire Council's Children's Cup at Grimsby Town Hall next week - as part of National Allotment Week (August 13 to 19).

"I felt amazed when I found out I had won the award," said Joe, who will attend Tollbar Business Enterprise and Humanities College from September.

"It started when I was about two years old. I started helping my nana grow plants in her garden and I carried on from there. I now work on my nana's allotment where I grow lettuce, cauliflowers, sweet corn, tomatoes, carrots and butternut squash.

"I like eating organic food and when I go to the allotments everyone is really friendly - so I really enjoy it. I don't enjoy playing on Playstations or anything - I prefer to be out in the open," said Joe, who despite his obvious talents for sowing seeds, will not be setting his sights on a career in gardening - because he wants to be a police officer.

Joe's grandmother, Kate Mowlem, described her grandson as a natural. She said: "He's known as little Al and the gaffer down at the allotment site. He's just a natural, he really is - and he loves the fresh air so allotment gardening really suits him."

"Ours is very different to the traditional allotment. I grow fruit, vegetables, flowers and herbs all together in a potager, or kitchen garden, rather than in neat rows.

"We also have a wildlife garden, with a pond where we encourage frogs and insects. I think allotments are becoming popular again because people are more aware of how and where their food is produced. Our plot gives us fresh food all year round and any spare goes to friends and family."

But vandals brought misery to the Saltings Allotment earlier this year when they caused a fire that ripped through the area, destroying Joe's allotment. But thanks to the generosity of Asda, Homebase, John Maw Builders, Roy Laughton Removals and Mrs Clarke of Chelmsford Avenue in Grimsby, Joe and his grandmother were able to restore their allotment to its original splendour.

Like Joe and his grandmother, hundreds of other gardeners in North East Lincolnshire have also discovered the many benefits of renting an allotment plot in the borough.

North East Lincolnshire Council has eight allotment sites, with a total of 1800 plots. In fact the Good Life-style hobby is so popular in North East Lincolnshire, the council has waiting lists for some sites in the borough.

Niki Gardiner (38), took on a plot at Beacon Hill a year ago. She feels it is important to teach her daughter, Kennedy (11), about healthy food.

She said: "I became interested in organic food because of the health benefits for my children. I was worried that, unlike when I was a kid, children don't know what vegetables are.

"The first year we had the plot we just dug it over, which was hard work, but this year we have put in potatoes and cabbages. I'm no expert and we're all learning a bit at a time, but I think it is important to have allotments."

Once thought of as places where retired men spent long days, the British pastime became popular with ration-hit families keen to keep fresh food on the table during the Second World War. But in recent years, allotments became the preserve of die-hard gardeners as supermarkets offered cheaper and plentiful fruit and vegetables.

Now with growing concerns of food miles and how and where food is grown, allotments have become the trendy must-have for green shoppers. The promise of organic fruit and vegetables, fresh from the earth for just a few pence, has drawn a new following. Across North East Lincolnshire, allotment-holders are now picking the last of their soft fruit and getting ready to dig over their plots for winter.

"Many believe they are doing their bit for the environment, protecting green spaces in encroaching towns and cities. And of course, there is no better exercise than double-digging a muddy vegetable plot to prepare it for the next year's crop," said North East Lincolnshire Council's deputy leader and portfolio holder for performance, efficiency and resources, Keith Brookes.

"Our tenants often value the friendly atmosphere as well as the gardening and the reward of picking their own fresh organic vegetables

"We are seeing an increased interest in allotments and allotment gardening nationally. People want to be green and they are encouraged by television coverage on Gardeners World.

"Looking after an allotment keeps you fit, provides you with fresh food and helps you make new friends. Our tenants come from all walks of life and vary tremendously in age.

"Youngsters like Joe should be congratulated for demonstrating an interest in such a healthy and environmentally-friendly hobby. He is a deserving winner of this year's Children's Cup award."