A NEW £20,000 easy access path commanding spectacular views from the Malvern Hills opens next week.

The Earnslaw Quarry path, off Wyche Road, is designed for disabled people, young children and those who find the Hills difficult to climb.

It has disabled car parking spaces near its entrance, low guide rails and a gravelled surface. The Malvern Hills Conservators funded it with grants from the Countryside Agency, Welcome to our Future, the Richard Cadbury Trust, CLA Charitable Trust and public donations.

Members of the public are invited to the opening ceremony on Monday at 10.30am.

Present will be wheelchair user Sir William Lawrence, chairman of Visit Heart of England, Alan Edwards, from the Disabled Ramblers' Association, and members of board of the Conservators.

"The landscape that ins-pired Elgar's music is now available to a new audience who otherwise would be unable to experience the uniqueness of the Hills," said Sir William.