MUSICIANS in Malvern can rejoice as a new recording studio and rehearsal space prepares to open its doors in the town.

Ralph Tittley and Pete Nash have been working hard to get the Funky Bunker — based in Raglan House on Westminster Bank in West Malvern — up to scratch, hoping it will provide an important place for local musicians.

"Despite the vast amount of musicians and bands in Malvern, there really wasn't anywhere for bands to rehearse or record, apart from village halls or church halls," Ralph, a musician with a background in video production, said.

"Most people find they have to travel to Worcester or Pershore if they want to record their music, but we will provide a great space for that. The studio is soundproofed and a brilliant space. People can rehearse in it or record their music with either their own producers and engineers or we can provide them with one who will be most helpful with the kind of music the band is playing, and more suited to what each band can afford.

"Pete and I both have backgrounds which provide us with skills which are transferable to help us with the Bunker. We just decided to go for it. We don't expect to make a fortune from it but that's not what it's about really. I'm 50 now and Pete isn't far behind — while most people would go out an buy a sports car we decided to open a recording studio."

HOW MANY XXXXXXXX people gathered at the Funky Bunker — a former fitness studio — on Saturday for a launch party, where a number of bands performed.

"It was fantastic," Ralph, who is also the director of Malvern Rocks, a three-day festival of music, said.

"How it is at the moment the Bunker can fit quite comfortably about 50 people. People said how lovely it was and how they would love to come and see more bands perform there, but really that's not what we set it up for and I don't think the local residents would appreciate people crawling home drunk in the early hours."

Although builders are putting the finishing touches to the Funky Bunker, it is hoped the studio will be open within two to three weeks.

For more information, visit www.funky-bunker.com.