THE parish room at St Wulstan's RC Church is to be extended and improved so the church can play a bigger part in community events.

The Grade II listed church in Little Malvern is where Elgar is buried and it has undergone a massive restoration programme in recent years. The parish room next to it, however, lacks decent kitchen and toilet facilities.

A dilapidated extension to the parish room is currently unfit for use and the aim is to replace it with something larger with two toilets, one suitable for the disabled, and a kitchen area for preparing food and drinks.

Plans have been submitted to Malvern Hills District Council for the extension and it is hoped the new facilities will make the church a useful venue for a whole range of community events.

Lt Col James Sweetman, chairman of the church's restoration fund, said: "The acoustics in St Wulstan's are excellent and it could be used for concerts or talks and the parish room would be suitable for meetings and community groups."

The building work will cost around £45,000 and there is still work to be completed on the church itself, including electrical work and lead work to the church windows. A total of around £60,000 needs to be raised.

A Christmas bazaar will be held on Wednesday, November 30, at Welland Village Hall from 11am to 3pm in aid of the restoration appeal.

This will have a wide range of festive foods and gifts, including stocking fillers at reasonable prices. Stalls will include handbags, jewellery, leather goods, knitwear, candles, books, crafts and a food stall selling cakes, jams, biscuits, pies and preserves.

There will also be a tombola and a raffle with a £100 cash prize. Entry is £2 including tea and biscuits.