RESULTS of a three-year archaeological project on the Malvern Hills Area of Natural Beauty are to be unearthed in a new leaflet.

The leaflet, which is being published by the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership, will unveil research about the charcoal pits, ditches and earth mounds in the area.

It will also shed new light on a shire ditch, initially believed to be mediaeval but now thought to date back to pre-iron age.

The idea for the leaflet came out of a draft plan to conserve and enhance the 40 sq mile area's natural beauty over the next five years, which the partnership spent two years working on.

The plan states that there is insufficient awareness of the local heritage of the area and aims to raise awareness of features such as the area's parklands and hill forts.

The group plans to do this by producing a free archaeological leaflet explaining the three-year archaeology survey carried out by Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire County Councils and English Heritage.

The plan also considers each topic such as landscape, tourism, wildlife, cultural heritage, farming and forestry, stating key issues and objectives.

Now the partnership has sent out copies of the draft plan to local councils, landowners, Government and community bodies for their comments, with the consultation period closing on August 4.

The Malvern Conservators, who own approximately 3,000 acres of land, the majority of which is in the AONB, were expected to meet last night to discuss the proposals.

"The purpose of the plan is to shape the management of the AONB over the next five years," said Amanda McCleery, Malvern Hills AONB officer.

"We are now trying to get as many people as possible to engage with the process of producing the management plan and realise the importance of the area to them and that they can make a difference."

Copies of the plan are available from the Malvern, Colwall and Ledbury libraries or by phoning the AONB office on 01684 560616.