TWO 'guerrilla' gardeners who have transformed derelict land in Glasgow have been summoned to appear in court tomorrow for failing to vacate the land.

TWO 'guerrilla' gardeners who have transformed derelict land in Glasgow have been summoned to appear in court tomorrow for failing to vacate the land.

Campaigners and local families in the West End have transformed the former playing fields by planting allotment beds and creating bat boxes.

But North Kelvinside Green Space Community Initiative failed to vacate the council-owned waste ground within 14 days after being ordered to leave by the city council.

Now Douglas Peacock, chairman of the North Kelvin Meadow Campaign, and Karen Chung, treasurer, have been summoned to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

North Kelvin Meadow, between Clouston Street and Kelbourne Street, is to be sold to property developer New City Vision for the creation of 115 flats and homes, which could net the authority up to £12million.

However, a petition with 500 names, including MSPs Bob Doris and Patrick Harvie, was mounted by the community group against the move, which calls for Glasgow City Council to retain community green spaces and allotment sites.

It says: "Local people feel strongly it should remain a community space and do not want these flats on the land.

"Local authorities are required by law to provide allotment sites and the Convention Of Scottish Local Authorities has compiled a report that urges local authorities to acquire, manage and develop more land for allotments."

The gardeners recruited local families to improve the site, which has also been turned into an orchard with wild flowers, a vegetable patch and composting area.

But Glasgow City Council says the group is effectively using the land without consent and on July 15 served it with an eviction notice. The group failed to leave and the case will now be heard by a sheriff.

The authority says the development will provide family homes, a park and fund new playing facilities at the corner of Queen Margaret Drive and Maryhill Road.

A council spokesman said: "The sheriff will hear the case in court on Friday."