MEMBERS of Malvern Town Council voted unanimously this week to give £2,100 to next year's Malvern Science and Faith Weekend.

The money will be used to fund a children's activity day at the weekend, which takes place in March, and will have the theme of Compassion.

The grant will also help fund a visit to the festival by a Canadian neuroscientist, Dr Connie Svob.

Cllr Julian Roskams, proposing the grant, said: "We've attracted some renowned speakers in their fields, both nationally and internationally, and the festival now attracts hundreds of people, not only from Malvern, but from a wider area.

"It also attracts a lot of young people, which is a constituency we normally have trouble reaching.

"An important part of Dr Svob's visit will be engagement with student groups at the Chase school. In this way, the students will benefit from, Malvern Science and Faith Weekend's growing international standing."