GAYLE Mill near Hawes has been awarded £80,000 to give lessons to schools about its rich industrial past.

The 230-year-old restored Victorian woodworking mill is a popular attraction for visitors to the Dales and a unique resource for learning about science, engineering and the social and industrial heritage of the area.

Now, thanks to cash from the Yorkshire Dales LEADER programme, the mill will be passing on more of its secrets to children from local schools.

The money will enable the mill to employ a dedicated heritage educ-ation and training co-ordinator to organise heritage skills training and accreditation for youngsters.

William Lambert, chairman of Gayle Mill Trust, said: “School visits will show practical demonstrations, which will rein-force knowledge of our past.’