A GROUP of Rainbows - the youngest section of the Guides - are facing a bleak New Year.

The North Division Rainbows, which provides activities for girls aged five to seven, will have to close unless a new leader is found.

Division commissioner Delysia Barker said said: "Parents have been keen to help but we just haven't been able to find anyone who can take over the role of uniformed Guider."

The group is full to capacity with a waiting list, but its members are unlikely to find a place in Malvern's only other Rainbow group, at the Wyche, since that too is full.

Mrs Barker has placed the group in suspension, and it will be closed permanently if no one is found to run it in a year.

Meanwhile, other Guide and Brownie units have been celebrating the end of the year in a variety of ways.

Hanley Castle Rangers had a wine and crafts evening to raise money for a new flag for the unit.

1st Malvern Link Guides held a fashion show and entertained residents at Court House nursing home, and 5th Malvern Link Guides put on a concert for friends and family.

1st Welland Guides, 9th Malvern Baptist Brownies and 10th Malvern Brownies all had bowling parties, 7th Malvern Christ Church Brownies entertained residents at Perrins House, and 5th Malvern Wells Guides wrote and performed a pantomime.