A NEWLY-discovered water feature close to the town centre has been officially unveiled by the Malvern Spa Association.

The unveiling of the Rosebank Gardens Well was carried out as part of the tour by the judges of the Britain in Bloom contest.

The deputy lord lieutenant of Worcestershire, did the honours, watched by members of the spa association, including Ernie Kay, whose family trust paid for the restoration of the well.

The well was discovered in Rosebank Gardens, off the Wells Road, by association member Brian Iles.

"It was hidden by undergrowth and rubbish, but Brian saw the stonework and brickwork behind it and though there might be something worthwhile there," said association member Ray Roberts.

Rosebank Gardens is owned by Malvern Town Council, and the association got the council's permission to restore the well.

"We had to repair the stonework, and the steps leading up to the well, and erect railings around it. It cost a couple of thousand pounds and that was paid for by the Kay Trust. We're very grateful to Ernie for the donation."

An antique pump has also been placed on the well, although it has not yet been connected.

"There is a very old map that indicates there was a pump at this point, so it seems appropriate to have put a pump there," said Mr Roberts. "The well itself seems to be very deep, with a lot of water."

Rosebank Gardens were originally the gardens of a private house called Rosebank. It was given to the town by philanthropist C W Dyson Perrins, but the house was demolished in 1959 after falling into dereliction.

In recent years the gardens have been restored by Malvern Town Council and in 2012 the striking buzzard sculpture was installed to mark the Queen's jubilee