THE renovation work which has given the 900 year-old Auchterderran Church a completely new lease of life was closely followed by local amateur photographer Bill Mitchell.

Bill avidly tracked the problems that were experienced by the congregation as their project stalled due to woodworm in the church, and the ultimately happy final story, as the building was re-opened for business last month.

He has put together a series of books tracing the Auchterderran Kirk story and was delighted to give them to the congregation.

Said Rosemary Wallace, a member of the Fabric Committee: "Bill has presented us with his eight books of photographs depicting the work on the building plus other photos tracing the history of the church and Auchterderran Parish.

"It was superb of Bill to put this photographic record together and we want to put on the record our gratitude to Bill and his wife Lorraine for all their hard work which is greatly appreciated by all at Auchterderran Kirk.

"All the books are available to view in church when we are open to visitors on a Thursday afternoon between 2 and 4pm. There will also be more opportunities to view the church and booklets at the Flower Festival next weekend where we will be open all day Saturday and Sunday with refreshments available as well!"

There will be a special joint service with Kinglassie on Sunday August 20 at 10am and a Songs of Praise at 7pm .

Added Rosemary: "A warm welcome back into our beautiful church building is extended to everyone".

The Auchterderran Church was facing a major moment in its history when a survey found that it was needing important rehabilitation work to remain a place of worship.

They managed to attract strong financial support and around quarter of a million pounds was spent on the project as the historic building was transformed.

Bill, always interested in any local history matters in the villages of Cardenden and Kinglassie, was only too happy to follow the story from start to finish.