THE life and work of one of England's most romantic poets, who hailed from Worcestershire, will be celebrated in a new show.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Victorian Poet And Enigma was written by David Robertson of West Malvern and will be premiered next month.

Mr Robertson created The Magic Ear, an exhibition about Malvern's connection with the development of radar.

Now he has devised a celebration in words, music and images of the poet, who grew up at Hope End, between Colwall and Ledbury.

The show is at the John Moore Theatre, King's School Worcester, on Saturday, March 4 - two days before the poet's birthday - at 7.30pm.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning was one of the most popular poets of her era, whose sonnet How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count The Ways, which she wrote for her husband Robert Browning, is one of the most poignant in the language.

When Wordsworth died in 1850, many though she would become Poet Laureate, although the job eventually went to Lord Alfred Tennyson.

Today, the couple are probably best known for their elopement and secret marriage, dramatised in the film The Barretts Of Wimpole Street.

But Elizabeth grew up at her father's Moorish folly at Hope End, knew Malvern, Worcester and Hereford and often visited Eastnor Castle.

Mr Robertson said: "We tend to think of her as a sickly child and semi-invalid adult who, for much of her life, rarely left her bedroom. But while she lived near Ledbury, she loved walking and riding, and even had her own pony."

The life and legacy of Barrett Browning will be celebrated in an evening of readings, projected images and settings of her work by composers including Elgar and William Lloyd-Webber, father of Andrew and Julian.

Mr Robertson is also directing the show, which will be performed by Ben Humphrey, Catherine Robertson and cellist Heather Uren.

Tickets are £6 adults, £4 children on 01905 721794.

walk in barrett browning's footsteps

THE poetry of Elizabeth Barrett Browning has inspired a new Discovery Walk through the Malvern Hills Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The walk, which is just under seven miles (11km), is entitled Hill And Valley, after one of her poems.

It starts at Colwall's railway station and heads uphill, crossing Jubilee Drive near the Kettle Sings cafe, and on to the ridge of the Malvern Hills.The walk continues southwards along the spine of the hills, crossing the A449 by the Malvern Hills Hotel.

It then skirts the reservoir, passes Clutter's Cave and loops back northward along the western flank of British Camp. Crossing the A449 again, the walk takes the rambler across countryside past Oldcastle Farm and through Evendine, before returning to the start.

The walk covers many points of cultural, historical and literary interest, explained in the leaflet, which also has clear directions and a map.The leaflet is available from local Tourist Information Centres or from the AONB office, Grange Road, Malvern.

l There will also be a poetry evening at Ledbury Library to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Elizabeth Barrett Browning.The Victorian poet grew up at Hope End and the building that houses the library is called The Elizabeth Barrett Browning Institute, in her honour.The event, on Monday, March 6, will run from 5.30pm to 6.30pm and free tickets are available now from the library.