AN appeal has been launched to help preserve a historic record of Malvern's scientific heritage.

The Malvern Radar and Technology History Society wants to raise £10,000 for a proper mapping of the QinetiQ site off St Andrew's Road, which has recently been approved for redevelopment as housing.

A society spokesman said: "This site played an important part in the evolution of Malvern and was the location of many major scientific advances.

"We are arranging access to the site for photography and hope to cooperate with the archaeological survey, but we would like go further and be able to visualise the buildings in an innovative way.

"The recording of many of the interior and exterior of the remaining buildings of what was once a unique research establishment will come at a cost.

"The final aim would be to make available to the public a virtual record of this once-secret workplace.

"We need to raise in the region £10,000 to have the site mapped so that comprehensive video and data sets can be produced.

"Alternative methods are being investigated and the extent of the recording will depend on the money raised.

"If for any reason we do not spend all the money on site recording, the surplus will be used for MRATHS charitable purposes.

If many people contributed, we could commission the work and get it done before it is too late."

Three MRATHS members have already pledged £100 each, but the charity has set up a page on the justgiving.com website and is hoping that as many people as possible can make a donation.