IF ever Malvern feels the need to appoint an ambassador, it could do a lot worse than approach actress Susan Hampshire, who, quite frankly, is in love with the place.

"It's one of my favourite towns in the whole country," she enthused. "I visit it at least half a dozen times a year."

For a purpose, I might add.

Like the Queen, Susan is a fan of Malvern water.

"Never drink anything else," she added.

"Wherever I go, I always take some bottles with me. Just to make sure I always have some available, I pop to Malvern regularly to stock up my containers from the springs.

"You'll often see me there with bottles and flasks.

"Oh, I collect gallons at a time.

"I always use it for my drinks and it's wonderful for washing my hair. If I'm feeling really luxurious, I might even have a bath in it."

Quite how much Malvern water needs to be gathered sufficient for a decent bathful, I don't know.

But don't be surprised if you see Ms Hampshire pulling up at Evendine Spring at the wheel of a bulk tanker fairly soon.

It could actually be later this month, because the lady's in town to play the lead in Noel Coward's Relative Values.

It runs from Tuesday, January 29 to Saturday, February 2, at Malvern Festival Theatre and expect the auditorium to be packed, because Malvern loves Susan Hampshire as much as she loves it. Noel Coward goes down there pretty well too.

Relative Values has been hailed as one of Coward's best works, a sophisticated farce written at the height of his powers and packed with witty one-liners.

Set in the early 1950s, it involves a collision of cultures between starry Hollywood and stiff upper lip England.

The Earl of Marshwood proposes to make a Hollywood starlet his second wife, but it transpires the hussy is actually the sister of his mother's maid.

Obviously this won't do and the Countess, with the able assistance of various other members of the household, sets out to scupper her son's plan.

Needless to say the role of the Countess is the perfect vehicle for Susan Hampshire's quintessentially English style.

While Malvern is the quintessentially English town to play it in. Pass the water, please. Here's to a good week.

Relative Values is at Malvern Festival Theatre from Tuesday, January 29 until Saturday, February 2. Tickets are priced from £22 to £14. Call the box office on 01684 892277 for more details.