THE importance of two historic mills in a Suffolk village have been re-evaluated as part of a conservation area.

The mills, which date back to the 17th and 18th Centuries, in Drinkstone, near Stowmarket, have been hailed as a ‘well-kept secret’ in the village.

The Post Mill, built in 1689, is Grade-I listed and is a rare example of such a building. But the mill needs to be restored and is on both English Heritage and Suffolk County Council’s registers of ‘Buildings at Risk’.

Sharon Rose, clerk for Drinkstone Parish Council, said: “The mills are just between Drinkstone and Woolpit. They are important to local people who have lived here for a lot of years. The people are very keen to get the sails going again – it’s an important site for the village .

“A lot of older residents remember the mills working and have fond memories of it. Some people have lived here all their life and go back a long way.”

In 1949 the Post Mill was badly damaged and became derelict until it was renovated in 1962.

The late 18th century Smock Mill, which is Grade-II listed, was modernised in the early 20th Century so it could be powered by an oil engine. The conservation area also includes the Mill House which is Grade-II listed.

Successive generations of the Clover family worked the mills from 1775.

A restoration project for the Post Mill of almost £150,000 began in 2005 but the work stopped when the owners had to re-locate.

Mid Suffolk District Council has been discussing the conservation area as part of its appraisal.