AN historic Malvern landmark, stolen from the top of the famous Hills nearly two years ago, has been recovered.

The toposcope, installed at the highest point of the Worcestershire Beacon in 1898, was found by police at an address in Walsall, following a tip-off.

They handed the engraved metal plate back to Malvern Hills Conservators, guardians of the Hills, on Christmas Eve.

"This is the best Christmas present we could have had," said Richard Graves, the Conservators' chairman. "It's great news."

Insp Neville Sheldrick, who returned it to Mr Graves, said: "The main thing is than this historic item is back in Malvern."

The toposcope was designed by the noted architect Arthur Troyte Griffiths, who, with his friend Sir Edward Elgar, had a great affection for the Hills.

The plate shows all the landmarks that can be seen from the Beacon. It was mounted on an ornamental stone pedestal to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee.

It remained undisturbed for more than a century until February last year, when its transparent cover was opened and the plate removed.

Police have declined to say how the toposcope was tracked down, but it is thought the find followed an anonymous tip-off left on an answering machine at Malvern Hills District Council's offices.

A man has been arrested in connection with the theft and has been released on police bail.

Following the theft, the Conservators commissioned the making of two copies of the plate, one of which was installed on the plinth. A bollard was installed to block the road leading to the summit.

Ian Rowat, the Conservators' director, said it was too early to say what would be done with the original.

But he thought it likely that it would be put on display in some safe placewhile the replica remained on top of the Beacon.

Mr Graves said a plaque describing its theft and recovery could be installed on the plinth on the summit.