A GEOLOGICAL survey was to be held near the Malvern Hills 25 years ago, reported the Gazette.

The survey, near Chase End Hill, was being carried out by the Institute of Geological Sciences and involved drilling up to 100 boreholes.

The holes were drilled at 80-metre intervals and the plan was to set off explosive charges in the holes, enabling geologist to form a picture of what type of rocks were in the area.

The institute was very keen to stress that the research was purely routine and was "in no way connected with any investigations relating to the ultimate feasibility of land-based high-level radioacive waste disposal".

This seemed to please MHDC's planning committee, which gave permission for the work to go ahead.

The scientists promised to fill in the boreholes and restore the sites to the satisfaction of the land-owners.