On this day 1801: 29 people die in stampede in Scottish town

It was a busier Sunday servce than usual with the pews in the town's main church packed tight with worshippers.

A stamped broke out in Kilmarnock (pictured) when worshippers feared their church was falling down. PIC: Creative Commons.

The congregation at Laigh Kirk in Kilmarnock was bigger than normal after two churches in the town merged.

The High Church was without a minister so its people joined services at the Laigh Kirk for a time.

There had been rumblings, however, that the church, parts of which dated from the early 15th Century was structurally unsafe.

So, when a piece of plaster fell from the ceiling, the congregation panicked - and a stampede broke out.

A total of 29 people are said to have died and many were injured.

No further services were held there and the church was eventually pulled down.

A new church was built on the site - complete with seven exits.