THE search for a long-lost Saline church is set to get under way this weekend. 

Volunteers hope to unearth the 16th-century structure, which is thought to have sat within the Bridge Street cemetery, in a five-day long excavation starting today (Saturday). 

The project, named the John Crane Dig, after the ex-community council chair whose "wish" it was the find the missing church, also hopes to discover a medieval worship spot, which was mentioned in documents dating back to the 13th century. 

Linda Moyes, from Saline Heritage Society, told the Press: "It was demolished around 1810 but we know it existed. 

"At the bottom end of the graveyard there is a sunken rectangular area which could have been the bell tower. 

"In 2015, we found a bit of rubble wall, we are going to open the trench to see if we can find out what that actually is, of course it was uncovered at the very end of the last dig."

The excavation will take place over four "trenches", where archaeologists expect to find pieces of stone which will confirm where the building sat. 

"There are gravestones dating back to the 1700s," Linda added, "so we know there was an earlier church there. We also know it is a medieval graveyard as it is on a mound, we will have to be very careful and respectful if we hit any graves. 

"We are so excited and so looking forward to it."

The dig will take place between 10am and 4pm from today (Saturday) until Wednesday, July 27. 

Though volunteer spaces are full, anyone interested can take a look around the site, with the possibility of being invited on tours later in the afternoon.