THE European Union could be lobbied to designate Malvern a Centre of Excellence and Culture for the arts.

The move may unlock important sources of funding for the arts and give the town an international profile.

The issue was discussed at talks yesterday (Thursday) at Malvern Theatres between William Boughton, artistic director of the English Symphony Orchestra, Malvern Theatres chief executive Nic Lloyd and MEPs Philip Bushill-Matthews and John Corrie.

Mr Bushill-Matthews said: "We do not know the full potential of the idea yet, but we hope it will bring greater integration with Europe and allow us to boost arts development."

Malvern's arts profile is already set to be higher than ever next year with the inaugural Elgar Festival, of which the Prince of Wales is patron.

The festival is officially launched on Friday, August 1, at the Mathon Lodge, West Malvern, with a concert by the ESO ensemble.

There are also talks about relaunching the Shaw Festival and turning the clock back to the 1930s, when the town was a national centre for drama.

Mr Lloyd said: "We are certainly looking into the possibility of holding the festival again, though there are issues that need to be discussed with the council first."

Both initiatives will add fuel to attempts to have Malvern's arts heritage recognised by Europe.

Mr Bushill-Matthews, a former pupil at Malvern College, and Mr Corrie will be asked to try and advance the case in Brussels.