MALVERN Town Council is to look at the possibility of sharing its offices with the tourist information centre.

Members agreed to examine the suggestion by Coun Paul Tuthill (Link).

He said: "Not only would it help lessen the cost of these premises, it would also be a good example of the council working with other authorities to get Best Value."

The council currently shares its offices with Community Action and the NHS health promotion organisation. It has spare floor space and a building to the rear that is largely unused.

Coun Mike Angell (Chase) said he supported the idea, but was anxious that the council negotiate whatever contract was drawn up in such a way as to retain control of the building.

Coun Adrian Ward (West) agreed. "I think it could be an excellent idea, but we would need to look very closely at the contracts," he said.

However, their enthusiasm was not matched by Malvern Hills District Council, which runs the TIC.

Spokesman Stephen Leese said: "We've not been approached by the town council and we don't know what our response would be. We have no plans to do it."