THE ONLY working windmill in Hampshire has been given a new lease of life.

Bursledon Windmill has been out of action for the last two months as volunteers worked to restore it to working condition.

Now the 200-year-old mill has a new wooden wind shaft and is set to re-open to the public next month.

The wind shaft is the main supporting shaft for the sails which drive all the mill machinery and has been successfully fitted thanks to a funding boost from the Hampshire Building Preservation Trust.

The trust fought to gain £94,000 in heritage lottery funding and Southampton City Council and Hampshire County Council then donated £47,000.

This led to a complete update of the facilities, including the visitors’ centre in the 16th century Chineham Barn, the 18th century Hiltingbury Granary, a pond, woodland walk and lawned area with a clay outdoor oven.

The mill, which is a grade II listed building, was restored more than 30 years ago and now volunteers are excited to offer the public a better experience when they visit.

The people involved in the restoration are now inviting the public for a 200th birthday celebration and re-launch on Sunday, November 30 at 2pm with folk music, mulled cider, jacket potatoes cooked in the clay oven a steam lorry and tour of the mill.