A GROUP of Christians in Zambia have celebrated their first Christmas in a new church, the cost of which has been offset by money raised by a Malvern Link congregation.

St Matthias' Church has spent three years raising £1,300 to send to Friar Tomas Kabaso, an archdeacon of the diocese of central Zambia.

Now a large, new church has been built in Kabwe to replace a previous one washed away. The violent storm which destroyed it killed several parishioners, including children.

"We'll always remember you, and our children do, for such wonderful generosity," said Fr Kabaso.

Despite having the new building, a number of problems still plague the parish. There are no vestments for the clergy to wear, the friar often has to walk 15 miles between churches on a Sunday and the altar consists of a simple wooden table.

The links between the churches started when a Malvern parishioner visited Fr Kabaso and found he could not afford bread or wine to celebrate the Eucharist.

An extra collection raised money for this, but the fund-raising has continued.