Fears over the state of greenery outside of a Barrhead church have been alleviated as it was announced that sprouts have returned to the trees’ branches.

More than a decade without pruning left the trees outside of St John the Evangelist’s Catholic Church on Aurs Road hanging over the fence and onto the pavement below.

Through the colder months Father Brady, who moved on from the church in May, decided to have them professionally cut before leaving.

After months with little more than stumps to show, new growths are beginning to sprout on the trees’ branches and members of the church are now hopeful that they will return to their impressive size before long.

Father Burke, who started at St John’s in May, said: “Father Brady had them all cut back at the end of last year, but they are all perfectly fine now and we are hoping to see them bloom soon.

“It had been 15 years or more since they were last dealt with so it was a long time coming, but everyone is very glad to see there’s still life in them.”