Crypt used for abortion service

A pregnancy and abortion counselling service has been given permission to set up in a church crypt.

The Cedar Tree Trust is preparing to move in to the former St Nicholas Church on The Cross in Worcester. The space is currently used as a nightclub.

A Church of England committee, which decides what to do with redundant church buildings, approved the change.

But some local ProLife Party members have said a church building should only be used for anti-abortion counselling.

Spokesperson Tatiana Johnson said: "My main concern would be, and I probably speak for many Christians, would be the concern of possibly the wrong message being given out from the church to the public regarding abortion.

"My question would really be why can't we have a pro-life information and pregnancy advice centre within the church?"

The Cedar Tree Trust offers assistance to women facing difficulties in pregnancy, as well as those who have had a miscarriage or an abortion.

Spokesman Rick Thomas said the Church sanctioned the move because the trust gives impartial advice.