VOLUNTEERS have been hard at work transforming a piece of wasteland in Malvern into a showplace for the community.

The Pickersleigh project by Malvern Community Forest was set up to transform an overgrown and unused piece of land next to the Prospect View medical centre off Pickersleigh Road.

And the transformation is so striking that the community forest is set to be included in the judges' tour for this year's Britain in Bloom entry.

John Jordan of Malvern in Bloom said: "The Royal Horticultural Society's theme for Britain in Bloom 2017 is Making Grey Britain Greener.

"This is particularly appropriate to the project being undertaken by Malvern Community Forest with their Pickersleigh Project."

On part of the site originally occupied by Malvern gasworks, and later the Malvern Hills District Council depot, the team of volunteers started by removing fly tippers’ rubbish.

Mr Jordan said: "This was itself no mean task, removing tonnes of road works material, cutting away the undergrowth which had developed over the years since the closure of the gasworks, and now creating paths and managing the trees and shrubs which are growing there.

"There are reports of viewings of foxes with their cubs, and other wildlife, butterflies and birds, and a super view of the hills from the open area.

"It is hoped that the Bloom judges will be impressed by all that has been done, and continues to be done, by the members of this group."

Judges from Britain in Bloom will be visiting Malvern to inspect its floral delights on Tuesday, July 18.

Last year, Malvern scored a gold medal in the Heart of England in Bloom awards, the ninth time it has won the accolade in the large town category of the competition.