ONE of Worcestershire’s most popular tourist events has returned, bringing some post-lockdown joy to residents.

The Malvern Well Dressing Festival got underway on May 1 and is themed around the planets and stars.

A number of awards have been handed out to the best-decorated wells, springs and spouts in the towns, which have been lovingly crafted by residents, schools and businesses.

Gold awards in the children's category went to Girlguiding Malvern for the Coach House Theatre Pump, Malvern Vale Primary School for the Clock Tower, St James' Primary School for the West Malvern Tap and St Matthias Primary School for their school railings.

In the adult category, the following wells won gold awards:

Malvhina - Christopher Whitehead School design and technology department

St Ann's Well - Creative Cluster

Temperance Drinking Fountain - Extinction Rebellion

Railway Station Trough - Hope Arts

Willow Spring - Little Berry

Haysland - Mother Gaia

Dingle Spring - Phil Ironside

Lyttelton Well - The Lyttelton Well

Gardiners' Common Spring - Thomas Gardiner's descendants

The event sees up to 49 wells and spouts creatively decorated in the theme of the planets and stars.

The annual event celebrates the importance of Malvern’s springs from the ancient pagan traditions to the Victorian Water Cure.

It is brought to the town by the Malvern Spas Association with local businesses and community groups taking part.

Visitors can view the wonderful creations by purchasing a map from the Malvern Tourist Information Centre for £1 and setting off across the hills on foot, by bicycle or on a self-drive tour.

Every year, the number of springs, wells, fountains and troughs grows.

In 2006 there were 28 sites, with about 85 members of the local community involved.

The themes for the year are chosen an open meeting in January. They have included ‘Purity’ (2001), ‘Darwin's Earth’ (2009), and ‘Year of the Woman’ (2018)

To see more pictures and find out more about the Malvern Well Dressing Festival 2021, go to www.facebook.com/malvernwelldressing or malvernwelldressing.co.uk/