AN article in last week's Sunday Times travel section described Malvern as "steadfastly, almost eccentrically, English whilst cloaking itself in exotica".

The half-page piece, by travel writer Richard Girling, chronicled a visit to the town in late August.

Mr Girling also took time to visit Worcester Cathedral, Tewkesbury and Upton-upon-Severn.

Angela Lessimore, Malvern Hills District Council's tourism manager, welcomed the piece, saying it had already had a positive effect on tourism.

"Pieces like this are always followed by an upsurge in calls," she said.

"People want to find out more about the town and ask for information guides to be sent to them."

Malvern has also featured recently on Central TV's Great Days Out, local newspapers in Stoke-on-Trent and Derbyshire, and in several glossy magazines.