AN appeal to restore Malvern Priory's ageing organ has topped £250,000.

Two more grants - £3,000 from the Allchurches Trust and £1,000 from the Elmley Foundation - have helped fundraisers toward their £400,000 target.

Brigadier Mike Selby, chairman of fundraising committee, said: "The Elmley Foundation are a grant-making charity founded by the late Countess Beauchamp, widow of Viscount Elmley, the 8th and last Earl Beauchamp of Madresfield Court.

"Over many generations Madresfield Court established a long tradition of support for all forms of the arts and crafts, and design. Nowadays, charitable sources have come to replace the personal enthusiasm and commitment shown by many family benefactors of the past. "

The Allchurches Trust's objective is to promote Christianity and make donations to charitable institutions. Over the past five years trust , funded by grants from the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, has handed out £18 million.

Brig Selby said: "The committee is to both organisations for their support."

To boost the appeal further, people are being asked to donate any European money, which will otherwise become obsolete with the introduction of the Euro next year. Anyone with francs, marks, guilders or pesetas is asked to drop them off at the Priory Office in Church Street.