WORCESTER'S Fownes Hotel is holding a corporate event to celebrate its 20th birthday.

The city centre hotel on City Walls Road is asking loyal customers new and old to attend an exclusive-invitation only evening, which will take place on April 13, in the John Fownes suite. The suite is the largest in the hotel and can host weddings and conferences.

Guests will be arriving at 7.30pm where a reception of champagne cocktails and canaps will be served, shortly followed by a buffet and live performance from a local jazz quartet. The Matinique jazz band plays a mixture of Dixieland and traditional jazz.

The Fownes manager, Glen Barker, said: "This event is our way of thanking all our loyal customers that have stayed at the Fownes since we first opened 20 years ago. The response has been great and we are looking forward to an enjoyable evening."

The historic hotel, built on the site of a Victorian Glove factory, is a leading member of the Conference Worcestershire group and hosts scores of business meetings and events each year.

Emma Robinson, the county's conference desk co-ordinator, added: "The Fownes is in such a great location in the heart of Worcester and has been a popular venue for conferences for years.

"Businesses have really woken up to what Worcestershire's venues can offer, and the Fownes has been a key player in that. It will be great to help celebrate its 20th birthday."