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PUPILS from schools around Malvern and beyond are due to take to the hills on Thursday in support of the outdoor centre in West Malvern.

The centre has been threatened with closure by Worcestershire County Council and, despite a recent three-year reprieve, campaigners fear the battle is not over yet.

More than 300 pupils and their teachers are expected to take part in the protest.

They will assemble at three points around the Worcestershire Beacon - the clock tower, the West of England car park and the Wyche - and make their way to the summit.

The event has been organised by Worcestershire Outdoor Education Development Association (WOEDA), a charity established to support and raise funds for the outdoor service.

Charles Eden of WOEDA said: "We've just got charitable status, which is good. We're asking all the children taking part in this walk to bring along £1 each for WOEDA. We need to raise a lot of money, and this will be a start."

The threat to the outdoor centre, and two others run by the county, comes from cuts in the county council's budget. Mr Eden said he hoped the walk will show how strong local support is for the centre.

"We've got schools from all over Worcestershire taking part, and some from Herefordshire as well," he said.

3:31pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

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