A proposal to break with tradition and serve meals in a central building has sparked concern among some parents at Malvern College.

Meals are currently prepared and eaten in separate boarding houses.

Parent Gary Swinford said a number of people were concerned about the proposed change.

"We would like things to continue as they are," he said. "It's a very long tradition and we feel it's beneficial."

Mr Swinford said parents and college staff were discussing how to progress with the plan.

"It would be a major change to the way the college operates but we're hoping the issue can be resolved through discussion," he said.

College spokesman David Gunn confirmed that talks were taking place with parents but said nothing had been decided.

He said that although a central building would contain one kitchen serving pupils from all the boarding houses, the college was keen to keep separate dining areas for each house.

"The plans are under discussion but we're thinking of building a central unit," he said.

"This will have a number of different dining rooms for each individual house, but the students will all eat together in the same building."

Mr Gunn said staff from each house would still eat with their students, to deal with any problems that might arise.

"The current facilities are a bit out of date and need to be modernised," he said.

"But we're keen to keep students eating in their individual houses, there won't be some enormous dining room.

"We would start with a building on the southern side of the site and, if all goes well, then look at one on the northern side."