Charles Darwin's bicentenary could bring people interested in his story to Malvern.

Jon King, founder of the annual Darwin Festival in the naturalist's birthplace of Shrewsbury, has consulted the district council about including Malvern in the 2009 celebrations.

Darwin, one of the Victorian era's most eminent scientists and the author of Orgin of Species, took the water cure in Malvern.

In 1851, while staying at Montreal House, on Worcester Road, his 10-year-old daughter Anne died and was buried in the Priory churchyard, where her grave can still be seen.

Darwin's grief after her death is thought to have been pivotal in his thinking, leading him to abandon religious belief and devise the controversial theory of evolution.

Doreen Speare, who now lives at Montreal House and tends Anne's grave, said she thought celebrating the bicentenary in Malvern was a good idea.

"If I'm still around I'd loved to get involved," she said.

Mr King, events and media officer for Shrewsbury Borough Council, said the town was gearing up for several events to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth.

"We're also conscious of the fact that Darwin is of interest to a huge international audience and many people will want to visit other places connected with the Darwin story," he said.

Mr King has spoken to Malvern town centre manager Anthony Collis about Darwin's Britain, a project to produce a map of the UK highlighting locations with a Darwin connection. If support and funding can be found each location could display a board explaining its part in the naturalist's story.

Other activities proposed include a Darwin debate for school children.

For more information, visit www.darwinshrewsbury. org.