CHURCHES across Worcestershire and Dudley will be supporting a major church tourism conference in Herefordshire on Thursday, April 25.

Leominster Priory will be the central venue for the event which is being advertised to churches and tourism organisations across the country.

Andrew Mottram of the diocese said: “There are some remarkable church buildings in the diocese. These are community buildings which hold so many of the stories of the locality.

"The conference is an opportunity for our church congregations to get help, support, advice and guidance on how to best cater for visitors and tourists. Both locals and visitors are often keen to explore the curious and the curios where, hidden just behind the words on plaques, tombs and headstones. are the stories of previous inhabitants.”

The main speaker is Professor Terry Stevens, founder and principal tourism of consultancy Stevens and Associates. He is patron of the Church Tourism Network in Wales and has recently, advised the Church in Wales on alternative uses for redundant churches.

The conference, entitled Small Things BIG Difference, takes place on Thursday, April 25, from 9.30pm to 4pm. Find more information and a booking form at hereford.anglican.org.