MALVERN Library's grounds could be given a major facelift if funding is found.

Town councillor Alistair Macmillan has suggested that the gardens in front of the building would be an attractive place to hold community events.

His ideas include removing the hedge along Graham Road, levelling the area and installing a flight of stone steps.

Coun Macmillan, a member of Great Malvern Town Centre Partnership, has discussed the improvements with Worcestershire County Council.

He said: "The county council is carrying out major internal alterations on the library but there are no coherent plans for the forecourt area.

"The hedge is overgrown and there are some tired old rhododendrons which need removing.

"The whole of the frontage needs to be rejuvenated, with a flight of steps from Graham Road in front of the war memorial.

"The gardens should be levelled, terraced and paved with some ornamental planting which would allow the forecourt to be used for the weekly market and suchlike."

County council strategic libraries manager Nigel Preedy said part of the grounds would be converted into a disabled car park as part of the work currently taking place.

He said he was sympathetic to the idea of further improvements, if the funding could be found.

"Like everyone else, we would like to make the grounds as attractive and amenable as we possibly can," he said.

"But we need proper proposals with money to back them up."

Mr Preedy said the council was exploring funding possibilities and would welcome suggestions from outside bodies.