A POPULAR Malvern church is running out of space for all the community groups that use the building.

St Andrew's Church, on Poolbrook Road, is planning a welcoming modern, glass-fronted foyer, along with new meeting rooms and cloakrooms for all the work it does in the community, particularly with children and young people.

"The space we have at the moment just isn't big enough or adequate for us to serve the community as we'd like," said the Rev Paul Finch.

He said the church had more than 50 youngsters attending on Sundays and that during the week the church hall was constantly busy with toddler groups, youth groups, Brownies and Guides.

The church has been working with architects for the last two years on a suitable design and plans have now been submitted to Malvern Hills District Council.

The new building would be on the south side of the church and would not be visible from Poolbrook Road.

A glass-fronted reception area would be added, to provide a welcoming entrance to the church and there would be new meeting rooms and other facilities for visitors.

Mr Finch said if the plans were approved, building work would start at the end of 2006.

"We don't have a precise cost at this stage but we have raised some money towards the project. However, there's a lot of fundraising and work still to be done," he said.