LEIGH Spinner’s Grade Two listed mill engine house is to benefit from a £75,000 grant.

Awarded by not-for-profit company WREN, as part of a national Heritage Fund that helps to protect listed buildings and structures of historical importance.

The mill still has its original in-situ steam engine and the funding will enable repairs to be carried out so the machinery can be put on public display. The grant will go towards enabling volunteers to restore the engine by ensuring it is a safe site to work in.

Peter Cox, managing director of WREN, said: “We’re delighted to support the restoration of Leigh Spinner’s Mill and look forward to seeing the project progress.

“At WREN we are dedicated to making a real difference to people’s lives by awarding grants to community, environmental and heritage projects across the UK. It is so important to protect significant historical sites such as these to ensure they can be appreciated by future generations.”

Peter Rowlinson, Leigh Spinners Mill’s Project Manager from Greater Manchester Preservation Trust, said: “The WREN has made a huge difference to the site. It has brought this project forward by at least two years, and our volunteers will finally be allowed into the site to safely start work on the restoration on the very rare and historically important engine. We can’t wait until we can show this to the public.”