EACH year Malvern Priory has around 35,000 to 40,000 visitors, with people from across the globe stepping inside to see it.

But how many Malvern-ians, who pass it while shopping every week, really know about the remarkable slice of local and national history sitting right on their doorsteps?

Next month, local people will have the chance to see the inner workings of the church, as it holds an open day in conjunction with the Lyttelton Well.

"There are so many people in Malvern that never come through the gates. Those that do are totally amazed by the size of it," said David George, the Custos Head Verger at Malvern Priory.

"We get a lot of tourists from Japan, Spain, Italy, all over the world. The American tourists are gobsmacked by it, they class old as around 200 years. To them the Priory is as old as the hills, the same classification as dinosaurs and Stonehenge!"

On Saturday, September 29, the Priory, which is over 900 years old, will be holding a series of activities throughout the day, while the Lyttelton Rooms will be full of displays by organisations that regularly use the facilities.

Among those organisations are the WI Market, Craft in Action, Malvern Citizens Advice Bureau, Solace bereavement support, Malvern Mind, the League of Friends of Malvern Hospital, Christian Aid, the MHHYAT Foyer and more. The Lyttelton Rooms will be open from 10am to 3pm.

The day will start with Morning Prayer from 9.15am to 9.45am.

At 10am there will be a series of children's activities until noon.

At 1pm, visitors can listen to a chorus of bells as the bell ringers demonstrate their art and the church choir will be holding open rehearsal from 3pm to 4pm.

Choral evensong rounds off the day at 5pm.

Throughout the day there will be guided tours of the church as well as trips up the tower, including the ringing chamber.

Refreshments will be available and there will be displays of members' hobbies and handicrafts, as well as flower arranging.

A tour of the Priory - see Leisure