MALVERN Town Council will look for alternative sites for allotments after a lukewarm reception to plans to transfer them to Sling Lane.

The current site off Madresfield Road is needed for the neighbouring cemetery to expand into, as it will be full within the next couple of years.

But people living near the Sling Lane field oppose the allotments idea and Malvern Hills District Council seems unlikely to approve transfer of the land to the town council if it is not kept fully open to the public.

At Tuesday's town council meeting, members agreed to continue talks with MHDC and to look for other sites which could be used for the cemetery expansion or for allotments.

At the same meeting, members agreed to write to famous car maker Morgan, in support of its 100th anniversary celebrations in 2009.

Although some members were disappointed that one major event was being held in Cheltenham, vice-chairman Mike Selby said the centenary would still be a big boost for Malvern and local hotels were already getting bookings.

Members also heard that celebrations were being planned for the 150th anniversary of Elgar's birth in 2007.

Chairman Ralph Madden said he had written to the Elgar Society and birthplace museum to find out more and would report back to the next meeting.

It was also announced that Coun Ian Fearnside, of the Chase ward, had resigned for health reasons.