A HISTORICALLY important mill has successfully weathered the recent storms thanks to emergency work including 'rock armour' that protected it from the elements.

The emergency work to protect one of the finest industrial heritage sites in the Yorkshire Dales, Grinton Smelt Mill, was completed last week, only hours before Storm Ciara caused another serious flooding event in Swaledale.

Last July, floods swept away an historic, listed stone-arch culvert which covered a watercourse running adjacent to the mill and it was clear that another serious flood would almost certainly undermine the mill building itself.

A programme of flood prevention and stabilisation work was put together by the National Park Authority.

The most urgent work, which included repairs to the eroding watercourse edge and the installation of ‘rock armour’ in vulnerable areas, was completed in the nick of time on the morning Storm Ciara began to roll in.

Julie Martin, of the Park Authority, said: “What a relief that the emergency works were designed, commissioned, funded and carried out in such a short space of time.”