A management committee has been formed to run the new Hill Centre in Upton.

It was set up at the last annual general meeting of the old committee last Friday (September 7) in the Memorial Hall.

Sheina Stockton, who had chaired the previous committee will head the new body with Sheila Murray as vice-chairman and Simon Wilkinson as treasurer.

A secretary is still being sought.

"We're pleased that the committee has been formed, although there were not as many people at the meeting as we might have hoped," said Mrs Murray.

"Some people were absent through no fault of their own, and we are still looking for a secretary. We would love to receive any applications!"

All being well, the formation of the committee from members of the local community should be enough to qualify the centre for exemption from business rates. Had volunteers for the committee not been found, the centre could have been turned over to a private company to run. This would have made it much more expensive to use.

The next step is a meeting with Malvern Hills District Council to thrash out the logistics of running the centre. This should take place within a month and the rebuilt centre should be able to open its doors in January.