THE public is being urged to find ways to encourage young people to stay in the Malvern Hills and reverse the drift towards an ageing population.

A think-tank on the future of the district believes the number of older people will increase dramatically over the next six years, a process which can only be reversed by active intervention.

The older population, that is 44 and over, is growing at one per cent a year, while the younger is falling at the same rate - both faster than the national trend.

Buses and exhibitions are being lined up to tour the district asking residents how they want the area to develop.

At a public meeting of the think-tank, called the Malvern Hills Partnership, on Monday it was decided to offer residents a choice of options - whether they wanted to actively tackle the issue of encouraging younger people to stay or whether they are happy with the way things are.

But at a private meeting of the Partnership's working group on Wednesday, the 'do nothing' option was dropped on the basis that offering a choice would "fail to excite or aid people's understanding of the issues".

The result of the consultation will dictate the future policy and affect the future operation of other members like the health service MHSDC.

The Partnership was set up in response to Government legislation forcing local councils to work with all sections of the community to draw up long- term plans.

Paul Walker, MD of Malvern Instruments and chairman of the partnership, said that any measures taken to halt the decline in the number of young people in the district would be "not to discourage older people, but to encourage younger people".

"We have a responsibility to give young people the choice to stay here if they want," he said. "I know of several businesses who are forging close links with schools, providing work experience and making sure both children and teachers are educated about the options available to school-leavers in the area."

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