DENVER Mill has towered over the Fens for 176 years but it faces an uncertain future after all four of its sails were removed.

The popular tourist attraction and landmark, near Downham Market, is one of the country’s last working windmills.

But after schoolchildren narrowly escaped serious injury when one of the sails came lose and showered debris around the complex, Mark and Lindsay Abel - who rent the six-story building from the Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust - were ordered to have the sails removed because of health and safety concerns.

Mr Abel said: “Whilst the old girl is rather sad at present, we are seeing this as a new chapter.

“This year we are hoping to double our production of flour to 60 tonnes and this is still possible if we’re milling again before Christmas.

“Our next aim is to then get two or four sails turning again because our ultimate goal is still to have a commercial windmill here.”

The couple, who run a bakery, shop and cafe on the site reopened for business early last week once the Norfolk Millwright Alliance and Wave Trade had removed the sails.