St Mary's Church in Saffron Walden will hold consultation meetings on a proposed redesign of the church lighting.

The existing lighting was installed in the 1970s, and is now in need of replacement.

Steve Hasler, who is leading the project, said: "Much of the nave lighting has failed, the chancel and sanctuary are now poorly lit and there is no highlighting of other areas, such as the font.

"The fittings which hold the bulbs are failing, and it is proposed to take the opportunity to provide a new versatile lighting design, while moving to low energy LEDs, cutting the carbon footprint of the church.

"The proposed new lighting installation will respect the historic nature and fabric of the church and will be much more in keeping with its magnificent architecture."

Public consultation meetings will be held in the church at 11am and 7.30pm on Wednesday, April 17 and at 11am and 7.30pm on Thursday, April 25.

Anyone from the congregation and people who use the church from the town and community are invited to attend, where there will be an opportunity to find out more about the project, ask questions and make your views heard.

Details of the new lighting proposal are available at www.stmaryssaffronwalden.org/lighting.

St Mary's Church is a building of national historic significance, so it is hoped that heritage funding will "contribute significantly" to the cost of the project.

The rector, Reverend Jeremy Trew, said: "You are all warmly invited to come and hear more about our proposals.

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"We are working with Bruce Kirk, who has designed the lighting in many cathedrals around the country and at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.

"The size and significance of St Mary’s make this a major project which will ensure that our facilities continue to support and enhance our welcome and worship and the use of the church by the wider community, by local schools, for music concerts, and by the many national and international visitors who come each year."

St Mary's, which is part of the Church of England, is open daily for worship and has stood in Saffron Walden for more than 800 years.