A FORMER church in Malvern Wells has been given an award by the Civic Society.

St Peter's, near the Green Lane junction, closed several years ago because of a dwindling congregation.

Its conversion into apartments was carried out by Stuart Levens.

The result was described by civic society secretary Katherine Barber as "a combination of the old and the modern which is a delight".

"This is a marvellous blend of preservation and innovation," she said. "Even the guttering and downpipes were in keeping with the old whilst being of modern materials."

The Civic Trust awards recognise excellence in the conversion of old buildings or the design of new ones.

Runner-up was a new building at the Cottage In The Wood hotel. The Pinnacles was designed to echo the late-Georgian style of the hotel itself.

The society also presented a plaque to Redwood House, the town's first hospital off Newtown Road, which has been converted into three dwellings by developer Jeremy Draycott.