IT was 50 years ago this week that Malvern was chosen as the permanent site of the Three Counties Showground.

The decision was welcomed by R G Reed, the chairman of Malvern Urban District Council, who called it "one of the finest things that could possibly happen for Malvern".

He said it would bring large numbers of people into the district, which would benefit everyone.

Supporters of the Malvern site had to fight off opposition from Hereford City Council, which wanted to continue the tradition of holding the show in each of the Three Counties successively, and a Gloucestershire contingent, which wanted the show to be based permanently at Elmstone Hardwicke.

Instead, the Three Counties Agricultural Society paid £21,200 for Firs Farm at Malvern Wells.

Mr Michael Frankau, of the Gold Hill Hotel, said the move was "the most important development since the arrival of RRE".

"A golden opportunity has arisen to attract a vast throng to Malvern with all the resultant business, publicity, circulation of money and associated activities inevitably associated with a major event of this kind.

"The site, at Malvern Wells, when fully developed, will have immense possibilities. It can, for example, be made available for international horse shows, trials, exhibitions, industrial fairs, commercial shows and many other events attracting visitors in large numbers."