PEOPLE who were around when radar came to Malvern are being sought by writer and broadcaster David Robertson.

Mr Robertson is giving a talk on the subject to Malvern Civic Society and wants to hear from those who lived in the town when the Telecommunications Research Establishment moved here in 1942.

He said its arrival was a "huge shock to a small community" with some 2,000 scientists and their support staff arriving out of the blue.

"The real difficulty seems to have been psychological," he said: "For those whose husbands, brothers or sons were risking their lives fighting for their country, it was bizarre and even offensive that the town suddenly seemed to be full of young men of fighting age who were, apparently, making no contribution whatever to the war effort."

Radar was strictly secret, and staff could not even explain to their families what they were doing, let alone to townspeople.

"Though I have made TV and radio programmes and created an exhibition about radar, I know almost nothing about the events of 1942 from the point of view of ordinary Malvern citizens."

Anyone who wasn't on the staff of TRE, who remembers its arrival and who can recall incidents or stories about the event contact Mr Robertson on 01684 573780 or responseco@aol.com.

His talk, When Radar came to Malvern, is next Friday, May 15, at 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Church, Link Top. Admission is £2.