WALKERS in the Malvern Hills look set to receive an early Christmas present as a well-known tourist attraction that was stolen from the slopes returns.

The Worcestershire Beacon toposcope - the large circular map at the highest point of the hills showing the various sites - disappeared at the end of August.

Labourers have since been working tirelessly to produce a replica and the Malvern Hills Conservators - which manages the slopes - has said it is confident it will be back in place for Christmas.

The news comes after a setback in the works when the glass to cover the engraved metal plate - which was completed last month - was found to be thinner than the original covering.

This would have resulted in a puddle of water forming on the surface, so Morgan's Blacksmiths, in Barnard's Green, are now working on making the metal frame fit the glass.

Fixed for Christmas

"I'm hopeful it will be fixed in time for Christmas," said Conservators' director Ian Rowat.

The theft of the plate in August - some time between 8pm on Tuesday August 31 and 2.30pm the following day - was the second time it had been stolen from the hills.

The new map for the toposcope is being copied from the original - which was installed in 1898, stolen in February 2000 and found at a property in Walsall in December 2001.

The Conservators has since reviewed security measures and has had deeper holes driven into the retaining granite to allow bolts, securing the glass cover, to be fitted more securely.

It was also considering fitting a tracking device on the toposcope.

Police are still appealing for anyone with information regarding the theft, in August, to call police on 08457 444888.