A WORCESTER church is in desperate need of volunteers in a bid to increase the number of hours it is open to the public.

St Swithun's Church, in Church Street, Worcester, is on a target list compiled by the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT), which has launched an Open Church Policy aimed at increasing public access to more than 340 of England’s historic places of worship by summer 2014.

Currently, a band of volunteers open the church every Friday, beginning this year on Friday (APR 26), between 11am to 3pm and from 11am until 4pm on Saturdays.

The church also opens for organ recitals, which this year begin at 1pm on Friday, June 7.

Will Scott, who is chair of the church friends group, said: ”We would be interested in opening more, the problem has always been getting volunteers and that is the restriction.

“We would welcome anybody who had time. It is a very rewarding job showing people round.

“The alternative is not having staff but I don’t think that improves the visitor experience. I understand having volunteers may not be possible everywhere but we are lucky in the city centre.”

The trust believes more people would visit the churches if they opened for longer or had regular opening times, after figures showed its top nine sights received four per cent more visitors on average last year.

Across Worcestershire there are eight churches affected by the policy, with each facing a different challenge.

Two churches are already open daily, in Churchill and Lower Sapey, while a further five, including St Swithun’s, are open regularly and keys are kept nearby.

Only one in Evesham is completely closed and this is due to repairs.

To volunteer visit visitchurches.org.uk/openchurches and to help St Swithin’s Church call Mr Scott on 01905 354629.

Worcestershire churches on the CCT list:

St Michael's Church, Churchill, Worcestershire - open daily
St Bartholemew's Church, Lower Sapey, Worcestershire - open daily
Church of St Mary Magdelene, Croome D'Abitot, Worcestershire - sits within Croome Park estate and is open when the estate is open
The Church (no dedication), Pendock, Worcestershire - visitors need to borrow a key from a nearby keyholder
All Saints' Church, Spetchley, Worcestershire - Open Wednesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays from 11am to 6pm
Church of St John the Baptist, Strensham, Worcestershire - visitors need to borrow a key from a nearby keyholder
St Swithun's Church, Worcester, Worcestershire - Open Friday 11am to 3pm and Saturday 11am to 4pm - other days visitors can borrow the key from the tourist office
St Lawrence's Church, Evesham, Worcestershire - currently closed for repair