Members of Lansdowne Crescent Methodist Church are looking forward to a major refurbishment of the building.

A grant of £25,000 has been given to the project by the Methodist Circuit, with a loan for a further £25,000 agreed so work on the church can begin as soon as possible.

Members of the church have already raised £11,500 through a variety of events and have been authorised to act by the church council.

The work will transform the entrance of the church and include enlarging the vestibule, installing toilets for the disabled and a coffee bar. The southern outer doors will also be replaced using vandal-proof glass.

Rev Catherine Campbell Hyde, the minister, said: "The whole of the congregation are hoping the refurbishment will go ahead. It would enhance our facilities greatly."

The application will be submitted to the central property division of the Methodist Church and Malvern Hills District Council for approval.

To minimise disruption for members of the church, a requirement will be added to the contract stating that the church should be available for Sunday services, funerals and weddings throughout the contract period.

Meanwhile, the church is continuing to raise money for the refurbishment.

A 'tramp supper' is the next event at Lansdowne Church Hall on November 29, at 7.30pm. All visitors must dress as old-fashioned tramps and a prize will be given for the scruffiest vagabond. An auction of talents is also planned for February next year.