TOURISM chiefs in the Malvern Hills are bracing themselves for what they hope will be a great year as a flood of visitors is expected to arrive in Malvern over the weekend.

Malvern Hills District Council's tourism manager Angela Lessimore said the Easter weekend was a "good benchmark" for judging tourist levels for the year. But she said signs were already positive, with several thousand questionnaires from potential visitors having already been returned.

This compares to several hundred during the same period last year, with tourist information centres in Upton-upon-Severn and Malvern experiencing a increase in inquiries.

It comes as thousands of people are expected to flock to Malvern this weekend as the Three Counties Showground hosts two events.

Tomorrow (Saturday, March 27) it hosts a toy and train fair organised by enthusiast Richard Atkins. Collectable toys from the 1930s onwards, including 00 gauge trains from the 1950s, Dinky toys, tinplate trains, clockwork cars, motor bikes and wind-up toys will be on display and for sale.

The event is held four times a year and usually attracts more than 2,000 people.

It runs from 10am to 4pm with admission £3 for adults, £2 senior citizens and £1.50 children.

And on Sunday, March 28 the venue hosts a flea and collectors fair organised by dmg Antiques.

It features more than 100 stalls selling items including bric-a-brac and collectible ornaments and runs between 9.30am and 4pm, with trade entry at 7.30am. Admission is £2.50.

The monthly antiques and collectors fair - also organised by the company - runs on Sunday, April 3 between 10am and 5pm, with trade entry at 8.30am.