AMBITIOUS plans for a Dunbar church have received a funding boost of more than £20,000.

Discussions about the future of St Anne’s Episcopal Church have been ongoing for more than a year.

The Rev Andrew Bain (pictured) and members of the church have been working to make the building, on the town’s Westgate, both more accessible and attractive.

The plans would see the church utilised throughout the week and open to various community groups and concerts.

Last year, members of the church put forward an application to Viridor Credits for about £400,000 to refurbish the church and make it more accessible.

Mr Bain told the Courier: “As was the case for many other groups, this bid was unsuccessful, largely owing to the volume of applications made to Viridor at the time.

“A subsequent bid for a smaller sum of £20,520 has, however, been successful.” The church first opened for worship in 1890, although an Episcopal community had been meeting in the town’s Corn Exchange since 1874.

Under the plans, the church would be open seven days a week to allow people to use it for prayer, services and musical events.

Mr Bain said that the funding was the “first step” in a fundraising programme in which the church would be applying to several other trusts for assistance in completing the work.

He added: “St Anne’s also has its own in-house fundraising activities of concerts, coffee mornings and so on. In the meantime, the Viridor grant will enable the essential addition of ramps for disabled people and new radiators to replace present noisy and inefficient heaters, two important elements in St Anne’s aim to adapt this historic building for increasing community use.” Other work at the church includes a new kitchen at the back of the building with improved heating and lighting.

A forward podium with new altar, modernising the worship space whilst staying in “sympathy with the traditional beauty of the building”, is also earmarked as one of the improvements.

The podium will also double as performance space for concert groups and other performers or speakers.