A YOUTH hostel in the Malvern Hills which attracts backpackers from across the globe is up for sale as plans progress for it to move to the town centre.

The Youth Hostel Association has owned the 50-bed hostel in Peachfield Road, Malvern Wells, for about 10 years but decided earlier this year to find a more central site as it feels the building, which is in a residential area, is inadequate.

Simon Brister, property manager for YHA in England and Wales, said the association was open to offers but expected the building to fetch more than £700,000.

The hostel needed a £450,000 refurbishment to bring it up to standard and the YHA felt it was not worth spending the money in the present location.

The building is being advertised as a commercial property, but YHA Midlands regional manager Charlotte Judson said if they were unsuccessful, they would apply to Malvern Hills District Council for permission to sell it as a residential property.

She added: "We've had no real interest as yet but that may be because everyone is winding down before Christmas. Obviously, we're hoping for a relatively quick sale, though."

The existing hostel is only classed as one-star accommodation according to the international youth hostel classification scheme and the YHA hopes to offer a three or four-star hostel in Great Malvern town centre.

Mrs Judson said they would start working with the district council in the new year to actively seek suitable properties for the new hostel.

The development will feature smaller bedrooms with en-suite showers, internet access, a games room, new kitchen, bicycle racks and better access for the disabled.

It would also incorporate environmentally-friendly features such as the collectioon of rainwater to flush toilets.