LOVERS of the beautiful Baroque church at Witley Court, Great Witley, are being invited to become volunteer stewards.

The church is open every day throughout the year and receives an average of 2,500 visitors a month, with as many as 600 on a single May Bank Holiday.

Valerie Powick, who organises the stewards' rota, currently has 65 stewards who travel from as far as Halesowen, Solihull, Stourbridge and Pershore to spend a four-hour morning or afternoon session in the church.

Some are there on a regular basis and others are available to fill gaps in the rota, but more are needed, to allow for illness and holidays.

"We have visitors from Japan, Australia, South Africa, the USA, Canada and all over Europe, but there are others living within 20 miles who have never been inside the church before.

"One lady had been to Witley Court nine times before she came into the church," said Ms Powick.

"I love watching people's faces and listening to the gasps of amazement when they come through the door."

Although stewards are asked all sorts of questions, new volunteers need not worry, as they will be given all the information and moral support they need.

An informal meeting for those interested will be held in the church on Friday, June 28, at 7.30pm, when Ms Powick will give a talk about its history and explain what is involved in stewardship.

For further information call her on 01905 620488.