A MONASTERY near Stourport-on-Severn will have a new brother-in- charge.

Brother Nicholas Alan is stepping into the shoes of brother Benedict, Guard-ian of the Franciscan Retreat House, Glass-hampton Monastery near Shrawley, who is moving to Hillfield Friary in Dorset.

Brother Benedict has been guardian of Glass-hampton for nine years, which is the maximum number a brother can serve as guardian.

New guardians, who are in charge of the community with five other brothers, are elected by the Community Chapter, an elected body of brothers from the society's houses across the UK. The Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby said: "I am personally deeply grateful for the nine years that brother Benedict has been the guardian, leading the work of our Franciscan brothers there.

"I wish him well in his new ministry as the guardian of Hillfield Friary, and am delighted that brother Nicholas Alan, who has already served there for some years, will be the new guardian."

Glasshampton Mon-astery is a house of prayer of the Society of Saint Francis, a religious community within the Anglican Church. The brothers live together under vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.