A "charming" Malvern cafe believed to date back to the 1940s is set for a major make-over.

The work on St Ann's Well Cafe will see a host of expansions and repairs go ahead, including renovations to the kitchen area and seating area of the cafe and the creation of a function room, if planning applications are accepted.

John Redman, who has ran the cafe and been a tenant of the building for 25 years, said: "The work will be great. "It's much needed and is long over-due now. The building is in need of urgent renovation.

"This is a very charming and famous building in Malvern, so while the work needs to be done, we will not do anything to damage its allure and traditional charm.

"It's a very positive move."

If it goes ahead, the cafe's kitchen and food preparation area will be significantly expanded and updated, a new seating area will be created, The Octagon room will be renovated so it can host functions and new public toilets will be installed.

Maintenance work will be carried out on the building;'s windows, roofs and flooring.

Mr Redman says the the project will allow the cafe to serve more customers than ever before.

The building has been used a cafe since, at least, the 40s, while it is believed The Octagon dates back to the 1840s.

Mr Redman says he has discovered a permit, that still exists, stating the listed building, in St Ann's Road, Great Malvern, was housing people as early as 1067.

It is owned by Malvern Hills Conservators, which will be funding the work.

Steve Bound, of the conservators, said: "This work definitely needs to be undertaken, to bring it into the 21st Century.

"Some of the facilities are, at the moment, quite basic. Due to the age of the building, routine maintenance is often required.

"This is a building that is well known in Malvern, and we wanted to keep it going for as long as we can."

Malvern Hills District Council is expected to decide on the planning applications by August 13.

However, Mr Redmond says if the work is not completed by the end of September, it will likely have to run into next year, as the roads leading to the cafe are unusable during the winter.