AN AYR priest has spoken of his “joy” at being able to reopen his church to the public after four months shut due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It comes as churches were given the go ahead to reopen for the first time since March as lockdown restrictions continue to be eased but numbers inside are limited to 50 and those attending must be socially distanced.

Father David Borland covers Ayr’s St Margaret’s Cathedral, St Paul’s Church and Saint Francis Xavier’s Church with St. Margaret’s now reopening for mass in a limited capacity.

He said: “It’s been an incredibly difficult time for people because they have been segregated from the sacraments and for Catholics the sacraments are at the heart of our faith life, so it’s like getting a part of you cut off.

“We have been live streaming 3-4 times a day so at least people have been able to participate online.

“I have been very limited with what kind of physical contact I can have for example I have had to do phone calls even for someone who is dying as hospitals have not let us in and that’s important for Catholics to receive the last sacraments.

“I am glad we are slowly returning to normal and we can now hold mass with people.

“We have had to learn very quickly to adapt but the people of the parish have been superb.

“We are limited to 50 people in the church at one time but normally, at a weekend over two masses St Margaret’s would have over 400 people.

“We have a booking service with live streaming continuing but many older people are still wary about coming so we have not had to turn people away.

“You have to wear a face covering at Holy Communion. I am wearing a mask so we are all adapting.”

He added: “It’s an absolute joy being back in the church with people. I have been fed up speaking to cameras. I have longed to hear and see them in person.”