MALVERN is being touted as a 'cultural thirst-quencher' for Australians looking to experience an English holiday.

The Sunday Mail in Queensland has run a large article on Malvern and the surrounding area in its Escape holiday section.

Headlined Sample a wellspring of history, the double-page spread focuses on many features of the Malverns, as well as attractions in Upton and Worcester.

Elgar and Malvern Water naturally star in the story quite early on, ahead of the town's spa history, Malvern artist David Prentice, Malvern Theatres and the English Symphony Orchestra.

The piece is accompanied by pictures of Malvern Priory, a water fountain, the view from the Hills, The Anchor and White Lion Hotel in Upton and the Elgar Birthplace Museum in Lower Broadheath.

The article was sent to the Gazette by 15-year-old Elizabeth Browne of Chermside, Queens-land.

Elizabeth and her family moved to Australia from Barnards Green when she was eight.

She and her brother Michael used to attend Great Malvern Primary School, while her mother Pat worked at Tanglewood nursing home. Elizabeth's father Andy worked for the Morgan Motor Company.

"I was really excited when I saw the article," Elizabeth said.

"My nan sends the Malvern Gazette each week, and speaking to family on the phone, that's all we hear about Malvern," she said.

The family returned to Malvern for a month, for the first time since their emigration, at the beginning of this year.

"It was just how I remembered it," Elizabeth said. "There were a few more buildings and things seemed smaller. Apart from being where I'm from, it's really pretty and beautiful."

Angela Lessimore, tourism manager at Malvern Hills District Council, said: "We welcome any media attention because we did, in the days before the events of September 11, actually see a great increase in the visitors from down under."

Articles on Malvern have also appeared in papers and magazines in Canada and the United States.