MALVERN mayor and mayoress Ian and Janet Hopwood have set off ona 850-mile trip to a fellow spa town in the Czech Republic.

The trip has a dual purpose: to sign the partnership agreement between Malvern and Marianske Lazne and to raise money for Acorns Children's Hospice, the mayor’s chosen charity.

“Rather than simply fly over there, we decided to make a proper journey of it and support the hospice at the same time,” said Coun Hopwood.

The mayor is taking local produce to Marianske Lazne, including beer from Malvern Hills Brewery, wine from Three Choirs vineyard and HolyWell Malvern water.

Accompanying them is MarkYoung in his 1964 Skoda. Coun Hopwood will be sending bulletins on his journey, which can be read online at malverngazette.co.uk.