A MASS was disrupted after a church PA system blared out tunes from a nearby panto.

Parishioners at St Margaret's RC church in Dunfermline were treated to music and dialogue from Hansel and Gretel after microphones tuned into The Carnegie Hall's frequencies.

Parish priest Chris Heenan, joked, "I was wondering why they were shouting, 'Oh no it's not' during my sermon." He explained, "We had a new PA system installed about two weeks ago and the frequencies were changed.

"At Saturday night mass we were picking up the pantomime at Carnegie Hall. We had to turn the microphones off - it was very loud.

"It was a faulty part which has since been replaced and it's been fine ever since." Father Heenan (43) is the new parish priest at St Margaret's, East Port, taking over from Father David Barr, who died in April last year.

Originally from Denny, he joins from the West Calder and Addiewell parishes in West Lothian.

It's not his first time in Dunfermline, having had a placement as a student at St Columba's High School around 20 years ago. He has also spent time at a seminary in Kenya.

As well as sorting the faulty PA system, the church's boiler has gone on the blink over the festive period.

Replacing it will cost around �40,000. In the meantime, temporary heaters have been hired at a cost of �540 a week.

Fr Heenan added, "The boiler has been condemned. There are problems with asbestos in the boiler room so it has to be done properly by specialists and this will take time." The mishaps have not prevented him enjoying his brief time at St Margaret's.

He finished, "I'm very happy to be here - it's a lively and active parish. It takes time to get to know everything in a new parish and to unravel the mysteries!"