PATIENT Port pupils finally managed to celebrate their first communion after a five month delay due to Covid-19.

Primary fives from St John's had a different experience of the service, in St John the Baptist Church, as they had to wear face masks and were unable to sing any hymns.

Despite the strict safety measures, proud families looked on as the youngsters received the sacrament.

Depute head teacher Martin Craig believes the proceedings this year made the services much more personal.

Mr Craig said: "Youngsters from both primary five classes were split into four groups and four separate services were held across as the church is limited to just 50 congregation members at a time.

"There was no singing but the organist was able to play background music during the mass.

"Many of the parents have said that the smaller services made the whole day more personal and they still felt the day was great despite the unexpected changes."

Around 40 boys and girls received their first holy communion from parish priest Rev Maurice Callaghan, which was the only time they could remove their masks during the services.

Amelia McEwan, nine, said: "It was really good fun even though the weather wasn't nice.

"It was lovely to wear our dresses and I'm glad our families got to see us.

"We didn't mind wearing our masks and it was nice that it wasn't all crowded."

Also in attendance was newly-ordained Port priest, Fr Ryan Black, who joined Rev Callaghan in the first communion service since 2019.

Rev Callaghan said: "Communions are our bread and butter, so it was unusual to have a service where there weren't 500 people in the church.

"All of the pupils were very very happy and it was a special day for them all.

"It is the first communion mass since May last year and there will probably never be a first holy communion quite like it again."