WORK has begun on developing a trio of new trails and guides to help illustrate the rich geological history of the Malvern Hills.

The work is being funded by Severn Waste and Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty and developed and published by the Hereford-shire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust (HWEHT).

Trails include a Great Malvern Building Stones Trail, to highlight where rocks used in construction in the town came from, a short Malvern Hills Walking Trail and a Malvern Hills Geology and Landscape by Car guide.

Trails manager Ruth Thornhill, who lives in Malvern, said: "The trails will take you to half a dozen different stops pointing out different features and landscapes telling the stories of the hills."

The Malvern guides (price £1.95) will be available later this year from Tourist Information Centres, bookshops, newsagents or directly from HWEHT at University College, Worcester on 01905 855184.

This week the trust heard it had been awarded £96,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for future projects.