RENOWNED peace campaigner Bruce Kent is set to call in on Malvern to join a debate arguing against the replacement of Britain's nuclear deterrent system.

Mr Kent - who is vice president of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament - is one of two speakers who will be presenting their arguments at a public meeting chaired by the Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Rev Peter Selby.

The existing Trident nuclear deterrent system comes to the end of its life in 2025 and it is expected to cost between £15bn and £20bn to develop a replacement.

CND is one of several organisations campaigning against the move and has organised a petition, which it plans to present to the Prime Minister this Easter.

Mr Kent was elected general secretary of CND in 1980 and became an active force in response to the deployment of American cruise missiles and politics during the end of the Cold War. He was president of the International Peace Bureau and National Peace Council and is also chairman of the Movement for the Abolition of War.

Mr Kent is no stranger to Malvern, having visited the town about five years ago to host a workshop on peace and anti-nuclear issues.

The meeting at the Lyttelton Rooms in Malvern's Church Street - on Saturday, February 4 - has been organised by the Malvern Churches Justice and Peace Group.

Organisers expect more than 100 people to attend the event, which runs from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. For more information contact Mr Sturge on 01684 576039.