A CHRISTMAS peace and friendship party at St Martin's Church, London Road, provided a good chance for its new rector to meet local people.

Rev Robert Farmer took up the post the previous Sunday and said he was delighted to have the chance to meet members of the community at the event.

He said: "Worcester is a lovely part of the world. I have a daughter at university here, so while we know the city a bit, we're looking forward to getting to know it a lot better. This party is a wonderful welcome."

People attending the party brought plates of home-made food to share, ranging from sandwiches and falafels and other savoury delight to impressive cakes.

Meanwhile, children could exercise their craft skills by making Christmas decorations, which were afterwards put on the church's Christmas tree.

David Scott of Rotary Worcester South, one of the organisers alongside Worcester Mosque and the church, said: "It's the third year we've been running it and the aim is to bring together the various sections of the community."