Malvern's famous building The Grange is being put to use once again, as it is now home to an art gallery for artists.

The social enterprise gives a platform for both amateurs and professionals from across the county to display their arts and crafts through the not-for profit project, called The Gallery.

Jean-Pierre Ellis, of J-P. Neil, who is running the organisation with resident artists Neil Cooper, said: "It's a really iconic building which everyone knows.

"There is a lot of space here for artists. Many need somewhere like this to display their work and get their name out there.

"We are having people visit regularly and there is a lot of interest in this place, because it is so renowned."

On display are oil painting, canvasses, furniture items, sculptures and more. Artists receive payment for their work, while a cut of the sales are put back into The Gallery to pay the running costs of the building.

Mr Ellis says they are hoping to garner support for the gallery so it can stay put, as its future is still in doubt.

He said: "We are promoting this place as a vision for the future, and what it could be like permanently. If this enterprise proves successful we would like to expand into Worcester.

"From our prospective, the building had specific requirements as to it use, which we are meeting, so hopefully we can remain here."

Doubt is cast as the building, which was formerly the Citizen's Advice Bureau and has been empty sine 2013, is owned by Malvern Hills District Council and could yet be put back on the market.

Malvern Civic Society successfully applied to the council to have the building listed as an asset for the community back in August last year, giving it a degree of protection should a bid for the building come in, as the society will have six weeks to decide whether to bid for it or not.

If it does, the sale must be put on hold for six months to allow the society to put together a bid.

Clive Hooper, Chairman of the society, said it is readying a bid should the building go back on the market.

"We are in support of what they are doing with the gallery. It's a good idea, people are going there and it keeps the building maintained and cleaned.

"We are readying a bid should the property go back on the market. We would like to have more community involvement present in addition to the gallery, like workshops for example" he said.

A spokesman for the council confirmed The Gallery is occupying the building while the council reviews its options regarding the property.