During the war they toiled to create the technology to beat Hitler. Afterwards, they carried on working in Malvern -- but still they weren't allowed to tell anyone what they were up to. Now they're back.

While German bombs rained down on Britain in the darkest days of the Second World War, hundreds of workers buried away in the Malvern countryside held the defence of the nation at their fingertips.

In 1942, teams of young scientists and engineers were sent to Malvern's top secret Telecommunications Research Establishment.

Many were parted from loved ones and in a completely alien environment, but together they would pioneer war-winning radar equipment.

More than 60 years on, nearly a hundred former TRE personnel and their spouses gathered at the site, now the award-winning research establishment QinetiQ, for what could be their last reunion.

Old friends and colleagues from across the country and as far afield as the United States enjoyed presentations, tours and a chance to share their memories.

Among them was Ernie Scott, from Malvern, who worked at TRE for 43 years.

"There were a vast number of people, with vast experience in a number of fields," he said.

"If you were working on something and needed help, you could always ask someone and advice was freely given. It was a great place to work -- you could play with lots of expensive equipment!"

The thrills of working on top-secret projects are still fresh in the mind of Dr David Ramsay, who is from Colwall.

"You couldn't tell anyone about what you were working on. Even wives had to sign the Official Secrets Act," he said.

"I remember being asked what I did at the dentist once. I said: 'I

work on equipment, that's all you need to know'."

Walter Beardsley, from Welland, completed a number of test flights during his 42 years at the research establishment.

"It was always really interesting working there, it was a challenge all the time," he said.

"I was a young man and it was very exciting."

Eric Jamieson spent six years at the TRE, from 1943. He travelled from Edinburgh for the reunion.

"It's good to see old colleagues," he said. "Lots of people have come down and, as it's the 60th anniversary. We needed to do something special."

The reunion was organised by Laurie Hinton, who now lives in Windsor, Berkshire.

He told former colleagues he was delighted to see so many people and thanked staff of QinetiQ for their support. After a buffet lunch, visitors headed to Malvern College, where TRE was billeted when it came to the town.

QinetiQ spokeswoman Annette Smart said: "I'm overwhelmed by the number of people here. It's been a wonderful day."