A NEW venture telling the story of quarrying on the Malvern Hills may be launched by the Conservators.

The idea was discussed during the board's annual tour of the the area under its protection.

Director Ian Rowat said: "It's important to tell visitors about the significance of quarrying, it's part of the history of the Malvern Hills.

Mr Rowat said the idea was at an early stage and that no firm plans had been made about how the information would be presented.

"The next stage would be to take a paper to the board but we've no idea of costings or what we'd put in there yet," he said.

Mr Rowat said quarrying companies could be approached to support the idea.

The Conservators were given the power in 1924 to control and regulate quarrying, amid fears that the natural beauty of the hills was under threat. The board gradually acquired the rights of the quarry companies and the last working quarry, Gullet Quarry, was closed 1977.

Conservator David Ward said: "The old wars are over, as it were, and we recognise the quarry faces as first class habitats for wildlife."

As well as discussing the quarrying plan, Conservators saw their new herd of cattle on the hills, talked to staff at the Kettle Sings cafe about alleviating parking problems and discussed the use of cattle grids on southern area part the their land.

"It's important that we give the Conservators the opportunity to see issues on the ground," said Mr Rowat.

"It helps officers understand their views and they get to talk to each other in a less formal setting than committee meetings."