A PORT Glasgow church is paying a haunting tribute to those who fell during World War One.

To mark the 100th anniversary of the conflict, St Mary's Episcopal Church is using an art project to demonstrate the loss of so many young men.

The ghostly outlines of those who went to war and never came home have been appearing in the pews.

Using a trick of the light in the body of the church, startled visitors suddenly catch a glimpse of a ghostly outline.

St Mary's minister David Gifford hopes his 'There But Not There' project draws attention to the sacrifice of a generation.

Reverend Gifford said: "These are our boys, souls who went to the Somme and never came home. We want to remember their sacrifice and say that we will never forget.

"You see people taking a breath when they realise they are there.

"We want to get the message across, to everyone that we must remember their sacrifice."

Every Sunday another outline appears sitting in amongst those who come to worship.

At a time when everyone went to church, pews quickly emptied as men signed up and made their way to the frontline.

St Mary's was no different and Port Glasgow as a whole suffered huge losses.

In all, 23 men from the St Mary's congregation died in battle during the Great War from 1914-18.

Now each is marked by a cut-outs sitting among those who come to worship today.

All of the men's names are also etched into a memorial at the alter of the church.

Reverend Gifford is organising a number of events to commemorate the end of the war at the church. The congregation will also be remembering all the warships lost in battle and those on board.

A commemorative service takes place on October 7 with every local church represented.