The centenary is anticipated to attract global interest.

As Darvel prepares itself for the occasion, Darvel Improvement Group has started an appeal to revamp a memorial to its most famous son.

Darvel will mark the 100th anniversary of Sir Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin. 

Built in the 1950s, the current Fleming memorial is in a poor state of repair. 

Darvel Improvement Group (DIG), which is a community-led voluntary organisation, has been working for a decade to create a new memorial that is worthy of the scientist’s discovery of penicillin. 

The group has managed to bid successfully for a £200,000 award from the UK Pride in Place Impact Fund. 

With the most recent cost estimates sitting at between £300,000 and £350,000 the group has now set up a crowdfunding page. 

Additionally, the group is approaching several corporate and pharmaceutical companies for funding. 

A new memorial wall will be built facing north towards his childhood home of Lochfield Farm. The current bronze bust and pedestal will undergo refurbishment and will be set at Fleming’s actual height.

The Petri dish will present an interpretation of the famous penicillin mould, and Interpretation Boards will tell the story of his life and discovery of penicillin.

Lochfield Farm was built using local whinstone, so as an additional tribute to the scientist, the seats on site will be built using the same materials.

Councillor Drew Filson, cabinet member for localities, East Ayrshire Council, said: “In East Ayrshire we are very proud to have educated two Nobel Prize winners - Sir Alexander Fleming and Lord John Boyd Orr at the former Kilmarnock Academy - a feat that’s unrivalled in Scotland.

“But for the people of Darvel itself the connection with Sir Alexander runs even deeper. 

“Darvel already has the striking Fleming Mural created by well-known artist Rogue One at The Corner on the site of the former Co-op building, and the new memorial will complete a very fitting tribute to the great man.”

Filson added: “Darvel’s community spirit has driven great changes already through its partnership working with the Council and other bodies to regenerate and boost the local environment and economy, and this is a great example of what can be achieved when people work together.

“Fleming is rightly celebrated throughout the world so it is apt that the pride felt in the community is reflected in a beautifully restored and enhanced memorial which is sure to strengthen the attraction of the town to visitors and locals alike.”