THE first ever meeting of Malvern Community Forum takes place next week.

The forum will provide an opportunity for members of the local community to raise and debate issues of relevance.

In turn, this will help public bodies and local partnerships shape proposals affecting the area.

The event has been co-ordinated by Malvern Hills District Council in partnership with Worcestershire County Council, South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust and West Mercia Police.

Forums will then be arranged on a regular basis, likely to be half-yearly.

Those attending the inaugural meeting will hear an update on local policing matters by Malvern police sergeant Rob Werner-de-Sondberg and an appraisal of recent changes to South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust by the trust's Sarah Collins.

The meeting takes place at 7pm on Thursday, October 17, at Priory Lodge Hall, Avenue Road (next to the Council House).