A new state-of-the-art electronic organ bound for Windsor Castle was installed at St James the Great Church, Colwall, this week.

The three-manual Copeman Hart organ is on loan until July 2, when it will go to St George's Chapel, Windsor, while the chapel's pipe organ is being overhauled.

Churchwarden Mike Paulson organised a team of strong men to help unload the organ console, together with 12 speakers weighing 33kg each and two 16ft long speaker units for the pedal stops. They also set up two scaffold towers for the smaller speakers.

It took three days to install the organ and voice the 51 separate speaking stops to the acoustics of the building.

Ernest Hart, managing director of Copeman Hart Organs, offered to lend the organ to Colwall after being approached by church member Don Taylour.

"The church would like to add a vestry, toilets and meeting room to the north-east, alongside the chancel, but this would involve resiting and renovating the old pipe organ," said Mr Taylour.

"Experts said it would cost more than the organ is worth. A new, very modest pipe organ would cost upwards of £130,000, so I was asked to explore other possibilities.

"A good electronic organ would be more affordable and this will give parishioners a chance to see and hear what it would be like."

It will be in place for a recital next Wednesday (June 20) at 7.30pm by John Robinson, pupil assistant at Canterbury Cathedral.

The event will be followed by an informal recital on June 27 at 8pm by Coddington organist Max Johnson, Colwall organist Mary Baron and the Rector, the Rev Preb Carl Attwood.

The organ will also be in place for the Colwall and Coddington Flower Festival on the weekend of June 30-July 1.