NEW light is set to be shed on the history of Malvern with the release of a map of the area dating from the 1920s.

County Durham-based publishing company Alan Godfrey Maps has reproduced the 25 ins to one mile map of Great Malvern (East) from 1926.

The plan covers an area extending from Priory Gardens eastwards to include Great Malvern Station, Malvern Girls' College, Barnards Green Road and Sherrard's Green.

With the population boom over the years and increase in businesses and traffic, the area has changed considerably.

One of the main changes is what was once the vast expanse of greenhouses known as Tomatoland in the north, which was severely damaged by a gale and is now all housing.

Malvern historian Cora Weaver said she was intrigued to hear about the publication.

"The town has since developed on the outskirts so you've got a whole lot of estates that weren't there before and there's been a lot of infilling.

"There's a lot of people who are interested in local history around here so I think they'd also be keen to see it."

And publishing company owner Alan Godfrey said the map was also of interest to him as some of his family members live in the town.

His grandfather George Bullock ran a building firm in the town in the 40s and 50s and his mother Mary grew up in the area.

"It'll be fascinating for local historians and family historians tracing relatives and seeing how their street developed over the years"

The company has already released maps of Malvern Wells, Great Malvern and West Malvern, and now also plans to reproduce one of Malvern Link and the area around the Wyche cutting later this year.

They are priced at £2.20 each, available from booksellers or via the website at www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk