ONE of Malvern's most popular annual events is returning this year with a literary theme.

The Malvern Well Dressing Festival sees up to 45 wells around the down decorated each year.

This year's theme is literature, with the festival set to begin on April 29.

The annual event celebrates the history of Malvern, from its spring water and Victorian water cure to the area's ancient Pagan traditions.

It is brought to the town by the Malvern Spa Association with local businesses and community groups taking part.

Around 200 adults and over 500 school children will all be involved in dressing the wells across Malvern.

Visitors can view the wells by setting off across the hills on foot, by bike or on a self-drive tour.

Maps can be downloaded from the Malvern Well Dressing Facebook page or from Malvern Tourist Information Centre.

Entertainment taking place includes singing, well blessings, minibus tours and more.

Cllr Daniel Walton, portfolio holder for tourism and economic development at Malvern Hills District Council said: "We are really looking forward to the return of the Well Dressing Festival, it is such a great opportunity to celebrate Malvern’s history, and this year’s theme will also give people the chance to celebrate Malvern’s literature connections too.

"It is always great to see the local community coming together to dress the wells and springs around Malvern."

Rick Banbury, Well Dressing organiser said: "Well Dressing will explore the theme of literature this year and what a rich seam it is.

"Malvern already has a grand literature heritage with connections from the middle ages with William Langland to the more contemporary Barbara Cartland, C.S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien.

"Come May Day we shall hope to be delighted with many rich tableaux of literary inspiration."

Visit Malvern Well Dressing on Facebook or www.malvernspa.org for more information.