A NEW Christmas card has been launched to help raise funds for the church where composer Edward Elgar is buried.

St Wulstan's Roman Catholic Church, in Little Malvern, has been undergoing an extensive programme of refurbishments in recent years.

Charlotte Carver of the church said: "Last year the west front of this picturesque church, including the magnificent rose window, was cleaned, repointed and the damaged apex stone and the red sandstone columns at the entrance were all replaced.

"This work has made an enormous difference to the church’s fine appearance.

"What remains to be done, in order to complete the structural restoration, is the cleaning, repairing and repointing of the whole north side, including the replacement of the supporting iron bars with stainless steel to prevent stone-damaging corrosion.

"The total funds needed for this part of the work are estimated at £30,000.

"The beautiful stained-glass windows, designed by Birmingham based Hardman Studios, in the Lady Chapel also need specialist cleaning.

"Part of this stunning window has been expertly photographed by Bill Carver, and The Annunciation is the subject of the Christmas card, which is being sold to raise funds for this next phase of the restoration project.

The sale of Christmas cards has raised over £5,000 previously and parish priest Fr Edward Crouzet OSB says “Two years ago the Hardman windows in St Wulstan's provided us with a beautiful image of the Nativity. This year it is the Annunciation. I hope you like it too.”

The cards are available in packs of 10 for £4 each online at christmascardsinaidofstwulstanschurch.com or after Sunday morning Mass at St Wulstan’s Church.

From Wednesday, October 23, they will also be available from the charity Christmas shop at ARCOS, Hatherton Lodge, Avenue Road, Malvern.