THE first phase of an “ambitious project” at a historic Haddington church will get under way in the new year.

A new modern lighting system will be installed at St Mary’s Parish Church as part of a £300,000 scheme.

Work is expected to take about four months, with services continuing to be held in the church.

Provost John McMillan is an elder at the church and said the project had been considered for more than two years.

He said feedback from a number of people had been positive after a test was carried out in one of the arches at the church and the Oculus.

The Haddington and Lammermuir councillor, who lives near the church, said there were a number of issues at the moment, both in terms of the cost and also safety when it came to replacing the lights.

Mr McMillan said: “I think it is going to make a real difference economically but also in terms of aesthetic."

The church’s newsletter highlighted the project.

It said: “The Kirk Session recently approved plans to start the rollout of new LED lighting throughout the interior of the church to transform and upgrade the interior of our beautiful building.

“The new lighting has been piloted in two areas of the church already, in the crossing and on one archway and windows in the west end, allowing everyone to see the benefits that the new technology can bring.

“Nearly £300,000 has been raised through successful grant applications (£50,000 from Viridor and £75,000 from Tyne Esk Leader), various fundraising events, individual donations and an allocation from the church Consolidated Fabric Fund.

“Approvals have been sought and granted from the Church of Scotland’s Church Art & Architecture Committee (CARTA) and from Lothian Presbytery.”

The ambitious project is described as “complex”, with cabling recessed into the stonework to avoid “unsightly” cabling being visible.

The newsletter adds: “So the church will be partitioned with a temporary screen sited at the west side of the crossing, coincidentally in the same place as the barrier wall that existed prior to the major restoration in the 1970s.

“The first phase of the work is due to start in January next year.

“All our church services and events will be held in the west end of the church for approximately four months, while work is carried out in the remainder of the church.

“Access to the north door and corridor (toilets and disabled entry) will be maintained throughout.

“If we are then successful in raising the rest of the money needed then it is envisaged that everything will then move to the east end, crossing, north and south transepts as work to complete the west end is then undertaken.

“This is an exciting time for St. Mary’s as we carry out this ambitious project, which together with the new glass lobby at the north door already completed, being the first major refurbishment projects since the restoration in the 1970s.

“However it will involve a degree of disruption for us all for a few months and will require us to have patience, to work together positively and to share the reduced space available with others whilst the work is being carried out.”