A LINE-UP of celebrated national and international organists will be giving a programme of recitals at Great Malvern Priory.

After the success of the first season of recitals last year, seven more are planned for 2006.

Malvern Priory was founded more than 900 years ago and there is evidence of an organ being in the building as early as 1551.

Since the current organ was removed and refurbished in 2003 it has received critical acclaim for its greatly improved sound.

Performances this season include the priory's organist and choirmaster Andrew Wilson and Worcester Cathedral's choirmaster Adrian Lucas. The priory will also welcome world famous organist Carlo Curley from North Carolina, USA.

Carlo studied at the North Carolina School of Arts and has become one of the world's most celebrated organists. He has played at The White House and for royalty.

As well as listening, audiences will be able to watch the organists play close up on a large screen video display, which organiser Geoff Fearnehough said would make performances from a particularly good line-up "much more exciting".

The recital programme is as follows:

Saturday, February 11 - Adrian Lucas, Worcester Cathedral.

Saturday, April 29 - John Kitchen, City of Edinburgh organist.

Monday, May 29 - Thomas Heywood, from New South Wales, Australia.

Saturday, July 15 - Angelo Castaldo, Naples.

Monday, August 28 - Andrew Wilson, Malvern Priory.

Saturday, October 7 - (7.30pm): Carlo Curley, USA. (Autumn in Malvern Festival Concert.)

Saturday November 11 - Fiona Chryssides, assistant organist, Malvern Priory.

All the concerts begin at noon, except the Carlo Curley recital. Entry to all lunchtime concerts is free. For further details, visit www.malvernprioryorgan.org.uk.