Malvern's company of the Boys' Brigade will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of its foundation this month.

In 1923 the company was founded at Malvern Baptist Church. All ran smoothly until the outbreak of war in 1939, when the outfit was closed down, and it was not reactivated until 1988.

Now, however, things have never been better. The company now boasts close to 60 boys on its roster who this week marked the anniversary with a civic occasion in Worcester and will next weekend march through Malvern in celebration.

The Boy's Brigade is a Christian youth organisation for boys aged five to 19, although Malvern's age range is from 12 to 17. The company meets every Friday night at Dyson Perrins CE High School and also takes part in a series of activities and excursions.

These range from sports such as basketball and football, to night exercises on the Malvern Hills, an annual camp, quad biking and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. The company band is a regular feature around Malvern, and members are encouraged to take part.

Meetings have a military structure to them, with the company divided into squads of about eight privates and a corporal, commanded by a sergeant. A drill and an inspection are held at each meeting, with members expected to keep their uniforms up to standard.

But members say the general atmosphere is more relaxed than, for example, a military cadet company.

"We're not ordered around," said Sgt Steven Tandy, 15, who has been a member of the company for three years. He joined after being introduced by a friend.

"It was quite interesting, the stuff they did, and I thought 'ok, I'll stay'," he said. "One thing I've noticed since I started was how popular it's become. I've seen kids come in from knowing others, it's spread by word of mouth. There's so many people going."

On Monday, September 22, members of Malvern's Boys' Brigade beat a retreat for senior county, Worcester City and district councillors at the annual meeting of the Worcestershire County Voluntary Youth Service in Worcester.

Further anniversary celebrations will take place in Malvern itself at 10.30am on Sunday, when the company will parade from Belle Vue Terrace to the Baptist Church on Abbey Road, via Church Street and Grange Road. At the church the annual enrolment service will take place, after which a large cake will be consumed to toast the anniversary.

For more information on the Boy's Brigade, call Captain Paul Hern on 01684 562426.