The Fairlie Messy Church has been hailed as one of the success stories of the moment in terms of local worship.

The family fun and craft event with a Christian message is held in the village and attracts many families.

It was one of the highlighted positive points in local church life during a recent gathering in Fairlie.

There was an excellent turnout for an opportunity to discuss and put forward ideas about the future of the Church of Scotland.

Over 40 people met up in the Session House in Fairlie where Rev Allan Ward firstly presented a picture of the church today.

Chris Cowpe, editor of the church newsletter said: "Here in Fairlie we know only too well the difficulty in finding a suitable new minister.

"With supply outstripping demand by more than 4:1 and congregations on Sundays continuing to fall various suggestions were made which will be collated and sent for further consideration.

"One bright light on the horizon, again seen here in Fairlie, is the great success of Messy Church held monthly on a Saturday."

The next Messy Church event is on the afternoon of Saturday 8 December.

And another positive point for Fairlie is that it has a new church locum minister in Rev. Andrew R Black.

In his opening introduction in the church newsletter, Reverend Black said: "It seems no time at all since I retired in May and now Christmas is fast approaching.

"The weeks just seem to disappear in a blink. When I retired I said that I would do nothing workwise until the New Year.

"However, when Alan Ward approached me and asked me to consider being locum at Fairlie and St. Columba’s it was an easy decision to accept."