A CENTURY-old church is set to get a modern twist by having solar panels installed on its roof.

The staff and congregation at St Mark’s Church, on the corner of Hamlet Road and Princes Street, Southend, want to generate their own electricity to save money and protect the environment.

The Rev Susan Hills said: “We are very passionate about the environment and keen to get started on making a real difference.

“It is our great blessing to have a south-facing church, so we would like to use that and become a local power station.”

The church needs £12,000 to press ahead with its plans for 16 solar panels and generous members of the congregation have already donated £1,200.

After failing to secure a grant for the development, they have come up with an innovative idea to raise the remaining cash through a pledge scheme.

Businesses owners, congregation members and Milton ward residents are being encouraged to sponsor a solar panel to honour a loved one, mark a celebration, give a gift to the planet or offset their own carbon use.

Rev Hills said: “We were looking at how we could raise the funds and thought if people could sponsor a tile, then it is also a way of getting the community involved.

“It could be dedicated to someone and make a nice present.

“Nobody needs to have the money right now, we are just looking for pledges at this stage, so we know we can move forward.”

If they raise enough money, the team at St Mark’s hope planning permission for the scheme will be granted by Southend Council and construction work can begin later this year.

The church, which dates back to 1901, is following in the footsteps of Christ Church United Reformed Church, in Rayleigh, which recently installed solar panels, and Thorpe Bay Methodist Church, which has similar plans in place.

Anyone who wants to get involved and pledge money towards a solar panel should call St Mark’s Church on 01702 431843 or e-mail milton community@hotmail.com