SUMMER means holidays for most schools and colleges, but at Malvern Hills College preparations are underway for its summer school programme.

One of the most popular events on the college's educational calendar, this attracts hundreds of students keen to learn new skills and try new hobbies.

Local students and holidaymakers are already signing up for the summer school, which runs for one week from Saturday, August 12.

The programme includes traditional courses in portrait painting, life drawing and watercolour as well as courses in more contemporary leisure activities, like using computers and video camera work.

People can spend a day learning belly-dancing or rug hooking, make a felt beret for a French holiday or pick up tips on tracing their ancestors using traditional records and the internet.

No qualifications or experience is needed to take part in any of the courses on offer.

Organiser Sharon Warner said: "The summer school is always popular. Some people come back year after year and we have a lot of visitors to the town who combine a summer school course with a holiday in the town."

Many of the courses on offer, such as botanical illustration, are similar to those offered 120 years ago when Malvern's School of Arts and Crafts, now part of Malvern Hills College, first opened. Places are still available on most courses.

For details and a brochure, contact Malvern Hills College on 01684 565351.