ORGANISERS behind a major £1.2m project to restore water features on the Malvern Hills are getting ready to toast its success.

The Malvern Hills Heritage Lottery Project involves 14 water features being restored to their former glory and six cattle grids installed around the slopes.

The Malvern Spa Association - one of the partners in the project, alongside the Malvern Hills Conservators and the Malvern Hills Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty office (AONB) - is set to be updated on the progress of the scheme as part of its annual meeting at 7pm on Tuesday, December 13.

It comes as organisers prepare for St Ann's Well, which nestles among the slopes above Great Malvern, to be blessed in a ceremony on the Saint's Day tomorrow. The ceremony will be led by Rev John Barr of Malvern Priory.

The event marks the completion of work on the well, which started in September and has restored its garden to its former splendour, repaired Malvern stone walls and replaced seating.

At the spa association's presentation in the town's Abbey Hotel, vice-chairman Rose Garrard and Malvern Hills AONB officer David Armitage will explain the sites currently planned for restoration.

Association chairman Carly Tinkler said: "It's great we've got St Ann's Well up-and-running because it's taken a lot of time to get this far and that really is the start of it."

After the Christmas break, work will again start in earnest on the next stage of the project, which is the restoration of the Tank Quarry Clock Tower in West Malvern Road.

It will include a new pipe and basin being installed, wrought iron gates put up at the front and the replacement of clock faces and the roof.

Other aspects of the restoration scheme include providing information on all of the water features by way of walk leaflets and a website.

Organisers are also exploring a further six sites for possible restoration.

Mr Armitage said he was delighted with how the scheme was progressing.

"We're very happy to have St Ann's Well all done because it's one of the most important sites, both for the local population and visitors, and we're hoping it will be a big improvement."