A local academic has raised the possibility that Malvern's sleeping volcano could be about to erupt again.

The Malvern Hills were originally formed some 680 million years ago, when at the time the formation incuded an active volcano.

The origins of the hills have been extensively researched by a local resident, Professor Avril Fuelle who has established that volcanoes of this type tend to erupt every 2.43 million years.

This means that a local eruption is very much overdue.

This volcano is known to be an 'acid volcano ' which often remain silent for thousands of years before erupting.

The implications may be alarming with local estate agents suggesting the discovery could affect house prices, and planning permissions may have to be denied because Malvern is now officially in an ‘earthquake  zone’.

Future house building may have to include the use of special earthquake-resistant materials. 

The residents of the unfortunately-named San Andreas Close in Malvern, so called because it’s built on the line of the original fault, formed when the Malvern Hills were created, have been warned of the possible perils.

More details to follow..