A NEW Wyre Forest geological trail has been launched as part of a week-long series of events marking International Geopark Week.

The Abberley Hills trail was opened to the public last Thursday by television presenter and Geopark president, Dr Aubrey Manning.

The Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust, based at University College Worcester, has also published a tourist guide for the trail.

Wyre Forest MP, Dr Richard Taylor and Dr Manning were among the VIP guests who helped promote the initiative by embarking on a "journey through time", which began Kidderminster's Severn Valley Railway station, on Wednesday last week.

Other activities aiming to "promote geotourism" include dinosaur trails and family fun days based on rocks and fossils.

Established in 2003, the 1,250 sq km Geopark, running through Wyre Forest, is one of only 30 similar areas in the world, which have been created to recognise places of outstanding geological importance.

Professor David Green, Principal of University College Worcester, which is a partner organisation in the initiative, explained the purpose of the week.

He said: "It will be a great chance to discover at first hand how the countryside has been formed and shaped through time and University College Worcester is delighted to be an active partner in the initiative."