VOLUNTEERS are celebrating a double success after winning its first national award and preparing for the turning of its mill engine for the first time in 93 years.

The Leigh Building Preservation Trust (LBPT), which carries out restoration work at Leigh Spinners Mill beat competition from 58 other projects across the UK to win the BRICK accolade for fundraising.

The ceremony, which was organised by the Prince’s Regeneration Trust and took place yesterday, Thursday, recognised the trust for its success in securing £940,000 in two years to carry out restoration work at the Park Lane site.

Chief executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund Ros Kerslake OBE and Biljana Savic, a former director of the Prince’s Regeneration Trust who helped the trust devise its masterplan for the mill’s development, presented the award to LBPT directors Leanne Morton and Peter Rowlinson.

Leanne Morton said: "It was a fantastic feeling to be able to receive this award which recognises the efforts made by the trust to restore this magnificent building."

Mr Rowlinson also reserved praise for the Prince’s Regeneration Trust for their support.

After being abandoned for more than 30 years, the engine will be run at a public event over two hours on Saturday, March 3 at 11am, 11.30am and noon after two years of restoration work from its original rusty condition by volunteer engineers.

It runs at 1,800 horsepower and weighs nearly 200 tonnes.

John Hurst and Phil Aspinall, Chair and Vice Chair of the engine group, added: “We are delighted to bring a major example of our great industrial heritage back into operation.

"This is a massive effort by our team of volunteers and a reflection of their hard work over two years.

"We are pleased the engine will be open for the public to enjoy."