MALVERN found itself in a heatwave 25 years ago this week.

According to the Malvern Gazette of July 1, 1975, local weathermen measured the temperature at a sizzling 91F in the shade.

It was so hot that parts of the Poolbrook Road and the Welland-Upton road began to melt as the surface hit temperatures of 120F.

"Far too hot to walk on in bare feet," as one council spokesman put it.

Malvern's water supply was being stretched to the limit as well.

"The situation is now reaching crisis point and we are appealing to people to use water sparingly," a Severn Trent official said.

The likelihood of a hosepipe ban was looming with reserve supplies in the British Camp reservoir being used up.

Huge queues formed outside the outdoor swimming pool in Priory Park, which was packed with bathers, and firefighters were called out twice to deal with grass fires on the hills.