the work of 13 renowned sculptors is on display in the beautiful gardens of St James's School, West Malvern, throughout June.

The sculpture trail has been assembled by Malvern Art Club member Ros Rowberry, who was inundated with requests following the success of a similar event at the Malvern Visual Arts Festival 2000.

She said: "We couldn't go ahead with the club's own open exhibition this year because we couldn't find a big enough space. But sculptors started phoning up and asking when we were going to stage another sculpture trail."

As a result, Ros has brought together more than 50 pieces of works to create an extensive sculpture trail in the gardens at St James's School, on De Walden Road, which were originally created by Lady Howard de Walden.

"I feel very privileged to be able to do this in these grounds," she said.

"The 42 acres include terraces nestling on the side of the hill with pools, natural springs and wooded walks. There is also a very interesting summerhouse that Lord Baden Powell slept in when he came to Malvern.

"When these sculptors come they are so overwhelmed by the beauty. It's what they need - to have their work seen in the landscape.

"I honestly believe that this could become one of the finest permanent sculpture parks in the country."

Artists whose work is featured in the sculpture trail include life-size figurative sculptor Professor Neil French and Nick Matthews, from Earls Croome, who has exhibited at the Royal Academy and is a lecturer at the Elizbeth Frink School of Sculpture.

Malvern sculptors include Anthony Beetlestone, Michelle Parker, Caro Sweet, Elaine Barret and Helen Ham, whose pieces will be in the summerhouse.

Eastnor blacksmith Andrew Finlay is represented with a display of arches and nymphs in water, along with work by Steve Allard, of the father and son team who recently restored Worcester Cathedral's stonework.

Also included is work by Ken Potts, from Bringsty, David Walker, of Frownhope, John Hammersley, from Droitwich Spa, Andrew Dodwell, from Hereford, David Handford, of Halesowen, Sarah Cotterrell, from Worcester, and Penni Gillis from Wolverhampton.

The sculpture trail is open every afternoon until June 30, from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Admission is £1, or free to children and school parties. All the works are for sale.

Meanwhile, anybody willing to loan a central Malvern building to Malvern Art Club for its painting exhibition next year, should call Ros Rowberry on 01886 880758.