THE dangers of blasting in the quarries on the Malvern Hills were graphically illustrated 50 years ago.

An explosion at the Pyx Granite Company's quarry, North Malvern, hurled a chunk of stone through the roof of a shop 200 yards away.

"Other pieces of rock fell into the playground of North Malvern School - fortunately the children are on holiday - and the garden of School House," the Malvern Gazette reported. One chunk measures 15 inches by 9 inches by 13 inches.

Mr H K Hayler, of School House, said: "One good-sized lump fell in the playground 25 yards from our home, embedded itself two inches into the tarmac and scattered a score or more pieces of stone all over the yard."

A public inquiry into the future of quarrying was to be held later that year.