WELLS and water features around the hills area were the focus of attention this weekend when the Malvern Well Dressing Festival returned.

A grand total of 55 site, ranging from natural springs to elaborate fountain, were decorated by young and old alike, honing their imaginations and their creative manual skills on this year's theme, the tree of Life..

The well dressing included a number of blessings at various sites around the hills, starting on Friday, when Rev Emma Goldby blessed the churchyard spout at St James, in West Malvern.

On Saturday, Rev Dr Ali Grey blessed the Malvhina fountain on Belle Vue island, and further ceremonies followed at Hayslad in West Malvern conducted by Malvern Druids, St Ann's Well, led by Paul Sandover and Evendine Sring, with the Amida Malvern Buddhists.

Meanwhile, visitors were able to take minibus tours visiting most of the decorated sites, or they could make their own visits, guided by a leaflet handed out at the Tourist Information Centre.

Organiser Kirsty Johnson said: "The standard is very high this year, and the well-dressers have come up with a great many original and unusual interpretations of the themes."