MALVERN Civic Society is launching a major project next year to preserve the town's Victorian heritage, especially its shop fronts.

The project, entitled Greater Malvern, Victorian Spa Town, aims to bring together town and district councils, residents, shop owners and local organisations to halt erosion of Malvern's special character.

Society member James Gilmer has been documenting Victorian shops in Great Malvern, Barnards Green and Malvern Link, and concluded that many are deteriorating despite being located in conservation areas.

Society chairman Roger Sutton said the work on shopfronts complemented work done by the society over the last three years documenting the town's letter boxes, plaques and gas lamps, and compiling a list of important buildings.

He said: "Malvern is a unique Victorian town because very little of it existed before 1850, but by the end of the century, the main parts of Malvern were in place.

"This means that Great Malvern, Barnards Green and the Link are largely unspoiled, so it's a great pity that unique features are being lost and neglected."

Although many shopkeepers make every effort to maintain their premises, some shopfronts are given inappropriate fascia boards, while features such as original window surrounds and tiled entrances become worn or damaged .

It aims to make sure residents appreciate their surroundings, shop owners understand their responsibilities and the councils actively protect the town.

Mrs Sutton said: "We've had some success with our Facelift project over the last few years, which encouraged the owners of buildings to maintain their properties in keeping with their character. We hope the new project will build on that."