Two of the windmill's sails have rotted

One of oldest windmills in the East Midlands has been forced to stop producing flour after the timber in two of its four sails rotted away.

The sails of the Green's Mill in Sneinton, which are 60 feet long, have been removed for repairs.

Nottingham City Council, owner of the historic mill, is spending thousands of pounds to reinforce the weakened timber.

"The windmill is open to the weather on top of hill and gets exposure to wind and rain, and as a result the timber has rotted in the sails," mill curator Denny Plowman said.

Organic flour is still milled at the windmill

"We are now waiting for the replacement of the timber to allow the four sails to start working again as they should be," he said.

Flour is milled on the site and produces 100% whole meal organic flour.

For the past few months, visitors have been able to visit the historic mill, which is a major attraction in the city, but have not seen it working and grinding flour.

"It is quite an experience to be in the mill when it is turning, with the sails going around and the stones rumbling away," Mr Plowman said.

Despite the damage, Mr Plowman, who also mills flours at the site, said the landmark has remained popular with visitors to Nottingham.

One woman who lives in the area said: "I can remember 20 years ago when it was in a neglected state, it is wonderful how they have been able to fix it up."

The windmill produced flour for bakeries and animal feed for more than six decades, but was abandoned in the early 1900s and left to decline.

It was closed down because of competition from more efficient steam-powered mills.