The ownership of allotment sites, playing fields, a community centre and a car park is being transferred to parish and town councils.

St Albans City and District Council is encouraging parish councils to take on the ownership of its assets as part of a strategy to put localism into practice.

The council has agreed to devolve ownership of Heath Close and Oakley Road allotments to Harpenden Town Council. Both these sites are currently managed by the town council under leases.

Sandridge Parish Council will take charge of Harness Way Playing Fields, Marshalswick Community Centre, Ridgeway, Car park at Ridgeway, excluding the public toilets.

It will also take on William Bell Playing Fields, Furse Avenue and Sherwood Avenue Recreation Ground. Apart from the car park, all are currently managed by the parish council under leases.

These are just the latest assets to be devolved. The council previously agreed to sell 91 Lower Luton Road to Harpenden Town Council and also transferred ownership of other assets.

Councillor Beric Read, Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Localism at St Albans City and District Council, said: "It is a priority of the council to put localism into practice by ensuring that local assets are managed and owned by the communities that use them.

"We are actively encouraging parish and town councils to request the transfer of local assets into their ownership."