A NEW churchwarden is hoping his place of worship will become the best meeting place it can be.

Ian Thompson, aged 61, of Hanbury Park Road, began his new role as St John's in Bedwardine churchwarden less than two weeks ago.

The retired health service worker said he was honoured to be in the position at the Worcester church. He said: "I've had a truly warm welcome from everybody."

Mr Thompson is responsible for looking after the church chapels and making sure the grounds are kept in order.

He said he was looking forward to getting involved with more family services and seeing the church rooms, currently used for everything from prayer to yoga, used even more often.

He said: "The church is really being used as a meeting place, which is exactly what a church should be." Mr Thompson is taking over from 70-year-old Ron Cantrill, who had spent five years in the role.