An historic 18th century Suffolk Tide Mill will be able to keep working after National Lottery and council funding was secured for vital work.

The trustees of Woodbridge Tide Mill have received funding from the lottery and East Suffolk Council for work to the "Hurst Frame" which supports the iron and oak machinery that harnesses the River Deben's tides to mill local grain.

Due to rising sea levels, the frame spends long periods submerged in salty river water, when it used to be only occasionally submerged.

READ MORE: Suffolk: Tide Mill dredging 'could silt up' river Deben

Surveys have shown that the frame needed work to remain structurally adequate, although it was cleared of insect infestation.

Sections of the lower part of the frame need to be cut away and replaced by engineering brickwork.

The work is set to start over the remainder of this month and take until January to complete, but will keep the country's last remaining working tide mill in operation.

READ MORE: Suffolk: Historic Tide Mill seeks go ahead for dredging

John Carrington, chair of Woodbridge Tide Mill Charitable Trust, said: “We are thrilled to have received this initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and East Suffolk Council.

"Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players we can now develop our plans to fix the crucial Hurst Frame and keep the last remaining working Tide Mill turning."

READ MORE: Historic Suffolk tide mill 'not about to stop working'

The trustees have planned the project and a retired structural engineer joined the management team to oversee the project and provide expertise.

A consulting structural engineering team was commissioned to produce the scheme, while listed building consent was obtained and tenders sought to carry out the work.

Woodbridge-based Chapel Properties was the successful bidder and the cost of preparatory work involved in investigating the repair and tender process has been paid by the mill.

READ MORE: Suffolk: Major dredging proposed to clear river Deben