WOMEN from all over Europe gathered in Malvern for a vigil celebrating the International Day of Peace.

Members of Malvern Churches Justice and Peace Group were joined by visitors attending a European Ecumenical Women’s Conference in the town for the vigil around the “peace pole” at the Friends Meeting House, in Orchard Road, on Friday.

International Peace Day was established by the United Nations in 1981 and this year’s vigil in Malvern was led by Rev Alison Richards.

Mary Wetherall, a member of the justice and peace group, said: “The presence of conference delegates from all over Europe at this year’s vigil gave especial significance to this observance of solidarity with those who strive for peace in the world.”