THE opening of another section of the Malvern Hills has been welcomed by businesses dependent on tourists.

The hills between the Wyche Cutting and Wynds Point reopened on Saturday, May 12 and, combined with the weekend's good weather, led to an upsurge in visitors.

Jacquie O'Sullivan, of the Kettle Sings cafe, said: "It was lovely to see people up on the hills again. We did very well.

"We were seeing people we hadn't seen for a long time and we definitely did better than we have done for three months.

"It was not quite as good as it should have been in a normal year but it was getting close. We've lost some of the regular holidaymakers and we need the word to get around that this part of the hills is now open again

"It's been difficult for businesses because we've all had to continue paying bills but I hope things will begin to pick up now."

Oswald Dockery, owner of the British Camp Hotel, said: "Although British Camp itself isn't open the big car park is, which will be a great help for us because people can park there and walk north past our door.

"We just need for everyone to become aware that this section of the hills is now open."

Ian Rowat, director of the Malvern Hills Conservators, said they would be looking at opening the rest of the hills and commons once 35 days had passed without new infections reported. The last confirmed case was in Worcestershire on April 12 and Herefordshire on April 25.

He said: "We've got the Environment Agency looking at watercourses and we have already started to talk to Castlemorton Parish Council."