Restoration work has begun on Greater Manchester’s last remaining windmill, at Haigh near Wigan.

The historic wind pump, built in 1845, was originally used to pump water from two ponds to the reservoir at nearby Haigh Brewery but has remained disused for decades.

Now, thanks to a successful £60,000 Heritage Lottery fund bid by Wigan Council, essential remedial work, including replacing the broken and missing sails, is finally underway.

Council Conversation Officer Jason Kennedy joined cabinet member and local ward councillor Chris Ready at the site this week to see how the job was going.

Cllr Ready, who was instrumental in getting the lottery bid, says: “I’m delighted to see work begin on site and the contractors, G Bullen, using their unique expertise to restore this iconic building for the benefit of future generations. This was only possible through great partnership working between the council the parish council and the windmill society/

“Haigh is a key gateway into Wigan’s Greenheart regional park and the project will also promote a new windmill walk and interpretation of the heritage value and significance of the windmill. Upon completion of the work, Haigh Parish Council and the Friends of Haigh Windmill will assume responsibility for its upkeep.”

Wigan Council’s Environmental Education Team has also been working with four local schools to teach children the history of the windmill.

The project will be marked by the creation of a mosaic outside St David’s School designed with the help of pupils at the school. Completion of the work will be celebrated with an opening event due to be held during the National Mills weekend in May.