A RADICAL shake-up of churches in Malvern has been proposed by a discussion group from a local parish.

Members of the congregation at St Andrew's, Poolbrook, were responding to a call from the Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby, to consider the way forward for the Church.

They were joined by colleagues from the neighbouring parish of All Saints, the Wyche.

Among the group's conclusions is that the number of separate churches in Malvern could be reduced through amalgamation.

"Christ Church, St Andrew's and All Saints could be replaced by a new building at Barnards Green, the natural community and shopping focus for the area," says their report.

Several options were considered for how many churches were needed in Malvern as a whole.

It was suggested that the Priory would be sufficient, with a full-time staff of eight or nine, plus Church Army evangelist, readers and lay workers.

Another proposal was that the number of the churches in the town should be reduced by closing those which are not financially viable.

The report says: "The number of church buildings in Malvern should be significantly reduced, maybe four would be adequate and facilities shared, whilst maintaining the number of full-time clergy."

The clergy will then be freed to undertake missionary work, rather than everyday "maintenance" work.

Responses to the Bishop's review, entitled Looking to the Future, will be considered by the Bishop's Council in January.