A WORCESTER church has been holding a successful open day showing the public its ambitious plans to become a sensory space for the arts.

Last year St Swithun's Church, in Worcester, secured a grant from Heritage Lottery Fund to begin the process of conserving and adapting the church into a high quality arts venue.

The church, in Church Street between High Street and The Shambles, is a consecrated church holding services only occasionally and the Georgian building dates back to 1734, with Tudor tower remains from a 15th century church located at the same site.

The Churches Conservation Trust - the national heritage charity that cares for the church - secured a grant of nearly £200,000 for the arts project, being run in partnership with the Friends of St Swithun's.

This cash is being put towards urgent repairs needed, including to the roof of the Georgian church and better facilities at the church including new heating, lighting, toilets, as well as better access for the public.

The plans to transform St Swithun's into a city centre space for arts feature proposals for interactive visitor displays and 'sensory infrastructure' allowing experimentation and the exhibition of new artwork.

The free open day has been giving Worcester residents the chance to see the plans in more detail, make comments, as well as enjoy stone carving, music, children' activities and crafts.

Isabel Assaly, regeneration manager at the Churches Conservation Trust, said: "We have had an excellent turn, hopefully we will reach 500 visitors today.

"We have had storytelling, poetry, a plastering demonstration - there is so much to see.

"The idea behind holding the open day is for people to see our plans for the regeneration, which will cost around £2 million.

"We want it to be led by them - we want to give people what they want and need.

"We want it to become a place where new artists come, develop and grow as artists."

For more on the church see visitchurches.org.uk/StSwithuns.

The open day continues 4pm today, (Saturday).