"MALVERN'S weekly market, which has been voted the prettiest in Britain, could be on the verge of expansion," reported the Gazette 25 years ago.

"It is three years this week since Spook Erection began operating the Friday market on former waste land between Edith Walk and Back Lane.

"Under a deal with the landowners, Malvern Hills District Council, the nationwide market operators paid for surfacing and landscaping of the market site, which is used for public car parking on other days of the week.

"Following an approach from Spook earlier this year, suggesting that there was scope for expansion, the council mooted a similar deal which would increase parking, including the number of spaces available on Fridays, as well as giving room for more stalls and provision for traders' parking."

The award was given by World's Fair, the journal of market traders at the expense of long-time title holders, Bakewell.