HITLER'S bombs, falling in love and summer holidays - Malvern's older residents have been lifting the lid on why they live where they do.

The town's thriving branch of the University of the Third Age has released the details of a survey of around 230 members.

The survey was the brainchild of Cynthia Wolfendale, who thought it would be good for members to get to know a bit more about each other.

"I'm always fascinated by where people live and why they came to Malvern," said Mrs Wolfendale, a former teacher at Ellerslie School.

She said some of the results, were a real surprise, including the fact that only a fraction of respondents were actually born in the area.

How they got to know Malvern threw up some unusual stories.

Beyond the usual work or family reasons, many came because they had simply enjoyed holidays here, several returned having been evacuated during the war and five admitted that the Three Counties Show was their introduction.

"For three of our members, the magnet that drew them to Malvern was the dancing at the Winter Gardens," she added.

The survey had responses from 167 women, 72 men, around 100 either former teachers, local government workers or civil servants.

More than 70 retired here, but over 100 came to work. The largest group came from London and the South East, where 36 per cent of respondents were born.

Things U3A members like about Malvern include the hills (65), the scenery (76) and the culture (64). Thirty-one were pleased with the friendliness of local people and 12 liked everything about Malvern.

The U3A is a social and educational organisation aimed at people over 50. The survey was by its local history group, which plans a look at the history of Malvern's businesses as its next project.

The whole group devised questions and Mrs Wolfendale collated results with Stuart and Pat Slack, Gill Holt and Brian Goodwin.