A HISTORIC mill has undergone a £200,000 facelift to "protect and preserve" the building.

Family firm Wyedean Weaving, which occupies the Bridgehouse Mill complex at Haworth, has invested £160,000 in the modernisation scheme.

And just over £40,000 was awarded by Keighley Towns Fund.

As part of the work, solar panels have been installed, which are expected to generate around 90 per cent of electrical energy needs for the 150-year-old Grade II listed mill.

Other elements of the scheme include new roof insulation and lighting, the replacement of some windows and blast cleaning of stonework.

Also, an original finial has been replaced.

Wyedean Weaving managing director, Robin Wright, says: "As a local family, we have operated out of Bridgehouse Mill for almost 60 years and are committed to maintaining its important role in the community by continuing its legacy as a manufacturer and employer.

"This is stage one of a two-tier refurbishment plan to give our business more useable space in a historic building, by making it fit for growth and service in the 21st century.

"Our main roof refurbishment and insulation means we now have additional useable space at the top of our building, and at the start of next year we have exciting plans to revitalise our office area by blending the original pine vaulted ceilings and exposed red brick with modern glass balustrades and internal partitions.

"My father rented space within the mill from 1964 when he recognised the potential demand for manufacturing military uniform and narrow fabrics such as medal ribbon, rank braid, stripes and sashes. He went on to buy the mill in 1973. Today we continue to realise my father’s vision with long-term Ministry of Defence and armed forces contracts and have recently secured several large-scale manufacturing contracts including to produce the British armed forces’ new regimental colours and squadron standards following King Charles III’s coronation.

"In six decades of operating out of Haworth, this is the first time we've undertaken such extensive improvement works and in doing so we hope to protect and preserve the building for the next 100 years."

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, transport and planning, said he was delighted the Towns Fund was able to support the scheme.

He added: "It’s a huge boost for the future of the local economy as well as our heritage to support the refurbishment of such an important historical building."