A STAFF member from Malvern Hills District Council will be showcasing his hidden musical talents this weekend at the annual Malvern Rocks Festival.

Malcolm Salisbury was a professional bass player in a previous life, before taking up his current role with the council's economic development team.

But this weekend he will be dusting off his trusty guitar as one of the dozens of acts taking part in the festival, which runs from Friday to Monday.

The festival, now in its fourth year, will be raising funds for Acorns Children’s Hospice and St Richard’s Hospice through collections, donations and profits from the sale of merchandise. In the last three years the festival has raised more than £8,000.

Mr Salisbury said: "I have been playing the guitar for over 20 years now and music is such a great passion of mine that I am always thrilled when given the opportunity to play, especially when it goes towards helping such worthy charities.

"Malvern Rocks has such a lively atmosphere, everyone is there to have a great time, relax and listen to the brilliant music on offer, and I’m really pleased to be a part of it. The line-up this year sounds fantastic."

Groups and solo artists will be performing at the Abbey Archway and the bandstand in Priory Park, at town centre venues including the Unicorn, Malvern Lounge, Great Malvern Hotel, the Nag's Head and Oliver's, at Malvern Town Football Club, and further afiled at the Chase in Upper Colwall and the Red Lion, Stifford's Bridge.

Among the performers are Dogs of Santorini, Fiona Patterson, Peoples Republic of Mercia, Lounge Toad, Ray Mytton Band, Black Heart Angels, Chris Hutchison and many more.

For more information, see malvernrocks.com.