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Page last updated at 08:12 GMT, Thursday, 15 October 2009 09:12 UK

Thatched windmill sails again

Britain's only remaining thatched-cap windmill has had its sails returned and historic silhouette on the skyline restored by the National Trust in Somerset.

Stembridge Tower Mill has stood in the village of High Ham on the Somerset levels since 1822, and was still actively grinding local cereals until 1910.

To bring it back to life, and open it to visitors, in June the National Trust began major repairs funded by a £100,000 award from Grant Scape's Community Heritage Fund.

Scores of similar windmills once stood side by side across the Somerset levels, but as the steam engine led to factories mass producing bread and grinding flour, the need for such mills - and its on site bakery - declined.

Once the sails are up, there is still some repair work on the floors to be completed inside, while outside further landscaping and wall repairs will be carried out in the spring.

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