A RESTORED windmill, which dates back to around 1650, has received a prestigious award.

Lacey Green Windmill received a Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Engineering Heritage Award, which means it joins the likes of the Vulcan Bomber, the E-Type Jaguar and Tower Bridge.

John Wood, chairman of the institution’s Heritage Committee, presented the award to Barbara Wallis, on behalf of the Windmill Restoration Committee, at a special ceremony on July 14.

Mrs Wallis is the widow of Christopher Wallis who led the restoration project in the 1970s and 80s.

Mr Wood said: "Lacey Green Windmill is a very worthy recipient. The windmill has been wonderfully restored and maintained, and has been given this award in recognition of it being the oldest smock windmill in the UK."

Its internal wooden machinery dates from around 1650.

Michael Highfield, chairman of the Windmill Restoration Committee, said: "The restoration work has all been done by volunteers and it is only thanks to the work of engineer Christopher Wallis and a team of dedicated volunteers of The Chiltern Society who restored the windmill between 1971 and 1986 that the windmill still stands."

It has been regularly opened to visitors since 1976. The sails turned again for the first time in April, 1983.