Crowds not seen since the club's Pilkington Shield run in 1994 saw Malvern RFC clinch the league championship on Saturday.

A one-point victory over their nearest rivals Luctonians was enough to secure promotion to the Midlands One, the last division before the national leagues.

The club has picked itself up since the National Lottery rejected a bid for money to improve the standard of its Spring Lane ground in January 1999, a £208,000 grant from Malvern Hills District Council being a key element in the transformation in its facilities.

It is now working to raise £30,000 towards new changing, physiotherapy and gym facilities.

Spokesman Peter Woods said: "Our facilities are going to be equal to anything of the other sides in the Midlands One next year."

The club is also at the vanguard of attempts to bring a new generation of young talent to the game, providing expertise for a programme supported by Malvern Hills District Council to promote non-contact or tag rugby in schools. The team has been praised by district council chairman Pat Raven, who describe it as "a wonderful achievement".