A MAN who “fell in love”

with a Grade II listed mill is desperate to see it restored.

Colin Andrews, 69, is worried Ardleigh’s Spring Valley Mill will be lost if action is not taken soon.

Mr Andrews said his interest in the building dates back to 1957 when a film called Treasure at the Mill was made there.

He said: “My mother also worked near the mill and I passed it every day.

“I began to fall in love with it, it’salovely mill. But over the years it has gradually deteriorated and there will come a point where nothing can be done about it.”

Mr Andrews, who moved from Colchester to Kent, came back to the town on Monday and was shocked to see the mill, in Spring Valley Lane, looking decayed and neglected.

The mill was built in the 18th century.

Malcolm Saville was approached by the Children’s Film Foundation and asked to write a screenplay about the mill, and it was premiered in January 1957.

The story featured the Pettit family who lived at the mill.

The family, together with their pets, starred in the film and the father, Harry Pettit, illustrated the book.

It was later turned from a water mill into a steam mill, but has been misused since the Thirties.

Tending Council has said no repair programme has been agreed with the mill’s owner. Nigel Brown, communications manager, said the Spring Valley Water Mill is in private ownership and is on a Buildings at Risk Register, which is held by Essex County Council.

He said: “The mill has been on the register since 1995, and there is no programme of repairs scheduled to take place.

“If concerns are raised, the council will look into the situation and discuss it with the owners.”