CHURCHES across Worcestershire are suspending public worship amid concerns around coronavirus.

Great Malvern Priory has suspended all events with immediate effect including concerts, organ recitals and lunchbox.

Churches in Ripple, Earls Croome with Hill Croome and Strensham, Hanley Castle with Hanley Swan, and Welland have all been advised by bishops to suspend all services immediately.

Rev Barry Unwin and Rev Sue Adeney said: “We have just been advised by the Archbishops that all church services are to be suspended until further notice.

“This is likely to extend throughout the month of April and include Easter. However, we will endeavour to keep church buildings and churchyards open for as long as we can, so that people can visit and pray.

“Our church buildings are sadly without hand-washing facilities, so we are asking visitors to wash before and after visiting.

“As soon as we can, we will be providing an alternate, internet based, service experience which people can access from their home computer, laptop or phone via our church website www.hopechurchfamily.org.”

The Orthodox Church of St Anne and All Saints in Bransford has cancelled all services at the chapel where they meet. Instead, the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, March 22 will be streamed from the monastery. The website is: www.orthodoxmonastery.co.uk/ and Fr Philip will continue to upload videos on his YouTube channel: Archimandrite Philip.

In Upton, the Baptist Church and the Town Council has set up the Stay Connected helpline to give support to residents who are struggling. Anyone in Upton or the surrounding areas can call 01684 594 991 for help.

In Worcester, services at the Cathedral have been suspended, with Bishop of Worcester Peter Atkinson saying: “The Dean and Chapter will maintain the age-old round of morning and evening prayer, but at times when the Cathedral is closed to the public. We will also be making video-recordings of worship from Worcester Cathedral available on Facebook and the Cathedral website.

“We will be encouraging people to stay in touch with friends and neighbours by phone and email. There is more than one way of being a Christian community, and like other cathedrals and churches across the country we shall be learning how to be a more dispersed, but still lively and loving, community.”