A RECORD number of wells were given a makeover by teams of community volunteers, providing a positive sign for the future of the annual event.

Judges given the task of deciding the winners had the toughest job on their hands but were able to come to their decision in time for certificates to be handed over on Belle Vue Terrace last Saturday afternoon.

In the open section, the winners were the Friends of Evendine for their work decorating Evendine Spring, at the junction of Evendine Lane and Jubilee Drive.

The joint runners-up were the Bradbeer and Bowker families for their efforts at Holy Well and Rose Garrard, for decorating her own creation, Malvhina on Belle Vue Terrace.

There were joint winners in the WI section, the judges being unable to separate the Malvern Link WI, who decorated the Temperance Fountain, and Wells and Wyche WI, for their efforts at the Jubilee Fountain, Wells Road.

John Ford, chairman of the Malvern Spa Association, which organised the event, said the hope would be to expand it further next year, in the light of this year's support.

"We had a record entry, 17 entries this year, which bodes really very well indeed. Some of them were just stunning," he said.

Among the visitors to this year's event were representatives from the Civic Society in Harrogate, itself a spa town.