No firm offers had yet been received for St James' School, a crowded meeting of local residents was told on Monday.

The school's business manager Angela Hencher said there had been intense interest, with nearly 50 enquirers being shown round the premises since it was placed on the market with the aim of selling the whole site as a single lot.

Favoured likely uses were luxury apartments or another educational institution, but it would be up to the eventual purchaser to obtain the necessary planning permissions.

She was optimistic the school would not remain empty for long but resident caretaker Roger Woolley would be remaining at St James' until Christmas.

Ms Hencher confirmed that no-one would be allowed access to the grounds without official permission and asked neighbours to report any suspicious activity either to Mr Woolley (mobile phone number 07904 106 291) or the police on 08457 444888.

Ms Hencher also set at rest fears the village primary school playground, which is owned by St James', would be threatened by the sale of the estate, and said it would remain in county council control indefinitely.

Fingers are being crossed for fair weather for the West Fest on the playing fields this Bank Holiday Monday. Organiser Richard Penhaligon reports that several signs advertising the event around Malvern have been damaged or stolen, but happily none of those in West Malvern itself.

Among additional features on the day's packed programme is a family orienteering run along public footpaths in the woods alongside the site starting at 1.15pm, with prizes for all the family, as well as a tractor pull for children and demonstrations of circus skills.

The full programme for the day and other information about the event can now be found on the website: www.westmalvern.org.uk/westfest. Any late volunteer helpers please contact Richard Penhaligon on 573771.

By agreement with the organisers and the parish council, there will be a British Legion car boot sale on the upper playing field the previous day, Sunday from 10am-2pm, with all the usual features - enquiries to Richard Hammond on 893951.

Finally - West Malvern's own calendar for 2007 'Moods of the Malvern Hills' is now on sale around the village.

Exactly similar to this year's popular 'Skies of the Malvern Hills', it features 12 striking photographs of (and from) the Hills in their various seasonal moods. from winter snow through springtime greens and summer storms to autumn mists.

Copies, priced £5, are available in the church, at the Lamb and the Brewers Arms and at various other outlets around Malvern including Fruits of the Earth in Malvern Link, Hunts at Barnards Green and the Malvern Artists' shop on Worcester Road, or from Rosemary Herbert 572497 or Colin Jackson 577604.

All the pictures have once again been donated by West Malvern residents, and publication by the Friends of St James's Church has been made possible through the generosity of monthly local sponsors.

All proceeds will go towards the maintenance of the building and grounds of our parish church - this year's calendar raised more than £3,000.