A GEORGIAN mill which fell into disrepair after the estate on which it stood was sold, features in the latest series of the BBC Television programme Restoration Village.

This week, comedian and presenter Griff Rhys Jones was filmed at Howsham Mill, near Malton, North Yorkshire - the final project in the series - for broadcast on September 8.

The early 19th Century mill served a dual purpose when it was built - a working corn mill powered by the river and an eye-catching landscape feature visible from nearby Howsham Hall, home of the wealthy Cholmeley family.

The mill, believed to have been designed by the popular architect John Carr, of York, was still in use in the 1940s, but was neglected following the sale of the estate. It now has no roof or water wheel and has been vandalised.

In December 2003, plans to convert the building to a house were dropped and a charity was formed to rescue the structure.

English Heritage agreed that the mill was worth Grade II* listing, but turned down the application due to its dilapidated condition.

The 160 residents of Howsham hope to see the building re-opened as an education centre, promoting renewable energy, with a water wheel to generate saleable electricity.

Twenty-one properties feature in the series, screened on Fridays at 9pm, and the winner receives nearly £2m of Heritage Lottery funding towards its restoration.