HIKERS are set to be out and about in Malvern this month as the town holds a walking festival in a bid to attract more visitors.

The Malvern Walking Festival was held as a trial in October 2004 but proved so successful it was held again last year, when it ran for three days.

This year the event has been extended to nine days, from Saturday, May 27, to Sunday, June 4, with walks ranging from two-mile strolls to nine-mile treks.

It is organised by Malverns Experience - a partnership involving various bodies, including Malvern Hills District Council, the Malvern Hills Conservators and Morgan Motor Company, to raise the area's profile.

The programme of 28 walks includes a 4.30am bird-spotting amble to watch the sunrise from Worcestershire Beacon and a seven-and-a-half mile trek around the locations linked to science and trains, passing Malvern College, the site of two old stations and QinetiQ's base in St Andrew's Road.

On Saturday, May 27, Malvern springs and wells enthusiast Cora Weaver will lead an eight-mile tour around 16 of the town's celebrated spring, spouts, fountains and holy wells. Participants can find out about donkeys on the hills in days gone by, take the waters at St Ann's Well and Holy Well and discover spouts and fountains used by water- cure patients in the 19th Century.

All walks are guided and leaders include David Armitage of the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty team and Ian Rowat, director of the Malvern Hills Conservators - which manages the slopes.

Full details are available at www.malvern-hills.info. Tickets are from the tourist information centre on 01684 892289 or by e-mailing: Malvern.tic@malvernhills.gov.uk