CASH from Europe is being sought to create a new "geological park" that will include the Malvern Hills.

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust, based at University College Worcester, wants the Abberley and Malvern Hills and adjacent areas recognised as a European Geopark.

Discussions with the European Geopark Network have resulted in an encouraging response, and the Earth Heritage Trust is now being encouraged to submit an application before October.

Dr Peter Oliver, director of the trust, said: "The proposed area has five Sites of Special Scientific Interest for geology, more than 40 Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS) and some Geological Conservation Review sites.

"We already host numerous student parties and researchers every year and our own work on public awareness is paying dividends, especially our programme of trails around the area which are contributing to the building of geotourism for the two counties each year."

The trust believes recognition as a European Geopark would have a major impact on achieving greater funding for geoconservation work in the area.

Dr Oliver said: "We already have so much in place within the proposed park area. We have a series of trails in place and published, we have 500 million years of Earth history represented, we have a rare exposure of the Precambrian basement, the oldest rocks in the UK, we have examples of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks all exposed.

"Getting European Geopark status would bring a range of opportunities to the area, not least of all creating jobs and attracting geotourists to the area all year round."

The trust is mounting a one-day presentation on Wednesday, May 14, to take an invited audience around the proposed park and to seek support.

Organisations already backing the park plan include Worcestershire County Council, Forestry Commission and Eastnor Castle Estate.