THE hazards of the early days of motoring are graphically illustrated in a story reported by Gazette columnist Ariel a century ago.

"The hilly thoroughfares of Malvern were put to a novel use last week, an enterprising motorist making use of some of them to test his car in hill climbing," he wrote.

"He negotiated several, including Zetland Bank and Belvoir Bank, and then tried to ascend the steep pitch by the side of Mr East's, the saddler's, leading from the Worcester Road to the Link Common.

"All went well until within a few yards of the top, where the ascent becomes very much more acute.

"The car started downhill and the driver, with his companion, jumped out and left it to its fate.

"It dashed down the bank and swerved round, damaging a low wall in front of a cottage. Then it ran into a tree, bending the railing surrounding the latter.

"When it had come to rest, the usual crowd gathered around it. The car was badly damaged and the petrol was flowing freely over the ground.

"Someone dropped a lighted match, the petrol flared up instantly and there was a hurried stampede."

And there ends Ariel's account. One assumes the match-dropper learned a pretty sharp lesson about the inflammability of the new wonder-fuel, petrol.