AN 18th Century mill that made it to the finals of the BBC's Restoration television series will open to the public for the first time at Easter.

The North of England Civic Trust, which owns Gayle Mill, near Hawes, North Yorkshire, has restored the building, including its water power and Victorian wood-working machinery.

It will house a training room for vocational and leisure courses, including woodworking skills and timber industry management, which reflect its history as a saw mill.

There will also be courses in sustainable energy and green tourism.

As a self-sustaining business, it will earn income from wood products, timber services and selling surplus electricity to the National Grid.

It will rely on volunteers and the Friends of Gayle Mill, and open days for would-be volunteers will be held on November 17 and 24.

The building won the 2004 regional heat of Restoration, in which presenter Griff Rhys Jones invited viewers to vote for the UK project they believed should win funding. The mill was third in the national finals and received no money, but the publicity boosted its profile and fundraising.

Built in 1784-5 as a textile spinning mill, it was converted to a timber sawmill and had a generator installed in the 20th Century.

Its turbine, dating from 1878, is believed to be the oldest of its type in-situ in the UK.

William Lambert, vice-chairman of the Gayle Mill Trust, which runs the mill, said: "It is fantastic to see the old turbine and Victorian machinery coming back to life, with the swoosh of the water and the clickety-clack of the belts. I am also delighted with the new heating equipment and the electricity generating turbine, which once again puts Gayle Mill at the cutting edge of technology."

Manager Paul Bisson said: "At last everyone's determination and hard work over the past few years are going to be rewarded.

"Progress over the last few months is re-mobilising the great tide of support locally and regionally that brought the mill to a national audience in 2004."

To volunteer, call Mr Bisson on 01969-667320 or email admin@ gaylemill.org.uk