A MAJOR new project to make Great Malvern town centre more vibrant and attractive to youngsters and visitors is being launched.

Pulse Great Malvern aims to bring exciting and surprising events to the heart of the town and encourage talented people to perform.

Its manifesto promises “art in unexpected places, sculptors in shops, theatre in gardens, paintings on pavements, poets in cafes, flash mobs in our streets, choirs in our courtyards and so much more”.

On board are the district and town councils, Great Malvern Association of Traders and High Street Malvern, and team members are eager to hear from anyone else who wants to become involved.

Anna Brook, of Iapetus Gallery and the traders association, said: "It's very much focused around bringing the community into the town centre. We’re missing some very important people, such as young families and the next generation in general. We want people to really feel that it’s their town, that they really feel part of it.

“Harnessing local talents and local venues, we will build a programme of events in expected and unexpected venues.

“We will create events, build on existing ones and shout about them all, concentrating our efforts on bringing people into the town centre itself.”

The project will use the £10,000 Portas Project money that the town was awarded to create a framework for Pulse and publicise and support it.

“It will grow slowly at first,” said Ms Brook, “but I very much hope that by the summer we will be having events on every weekend. The success of Pulse Great Malvern relies on enthusiasm, an open mind, team work and involvement from volunteers to venues and sponsors. We want the community to be involved in bringing the pulse back to the hears of our town.”

l High Street Malvern is holding an open event on Saturday to showcase the group’s activities and attract new members.

Volunteers will be at the Upper Bar of Malvern Theatres between noon and 4pm, ready to tell people all about the group and what they can do to help.

High Street Malvern, which also promotes the town centre, was formed following a Civic Trust presentation at the Abbey Hotel in January 2007.