THE Malvern Salvation Army centre on Newtown Road welcomed its new leaders last week.

Captains Steven and Melanie Smith arrived at the centre on Thursday (June 27), to take over from previous captains, David and Tracey Pegg, who have moved to take over another centre in Chesterton, Staffordshire.

Steve, 28, is originally from Southampton, while Melanie, 30, hails from Jersey.

The husband and wife team, who married on June 8, have just completed two years' residential training in South London and were commissioned and ordained at the end of May.

Although they had only been in town a few days, they said that Malvern seemed a good place to work.

"It's very nice," said Steven.

"We haven't explored it yet, but we will!" added Melanie.

Steve said he was keen to promote the Salvation Army as a church, as well as its other community work.

"We are a church, that's what it's all about," he said. "The church isn't boring, it's a fun place to be."

Anyone is welcome to the centre, whether a committed member of the church or not.

"Our movement is for everybody," said Steve.

"We exist for people that aren't members more than anything."