THE first of a limited edition set of glass water flasks has been presented to the Queen by Malvern Spa Association.

Carly Tinkler, chairman of the association, has presented the pilgrim flask to Steve Dunn, the Queen's protection officer at Buckingham Pal-ace.

Ms Tinkler said rigorous security surrounded the palace because of the current international tensions and threat of terrorism.

"We had to open the box very carefully," she said.

Mr Dunn thanked the association on the Queen's behalf, and assured them the flask would be taken up to Her Majesty by a footman the very next day. The association received a letter of thanks by return of post.

Ms Tinkler said the ceremony represented the culmination of a year's hard work by the association, which started when they decided to do something to commemorate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

West Malvern-based artist Rose Garrard designed the flasks in a manner meant to evoke those carried by pilgrims visiting holy wells.

They were hand-made in aqua-blue glass by glass-blower Ian McDonald, and Spa Association member John Bibby created presentation boxes from a piece of elm.

Forty were made and all have now been sold, with the profits going to the Spa Association. Buyers were as far afield as Canada, with many snapped up at last year's Golden Jubilee celebrations in Victoria Park.

Money raised from the sales will go towards restoration of the wells throughout the area.

Ms Tinkler said the whole project had gone very well.

"It has been a wonderful success," she said. "We're really pleased."