One of Sussex's grandest old women is celebrating 25 years since her admirers clubbed together to give her a magnificent makeover.

Jill the windmill has stood majestically on top of Clayton Down, near Hassocks, since 1852.

In her youth she had worked tirelessly to grind flour, barley, oats and peas for the people of the nearby villages.

By 1900, her line of work was going out of fashion as she was replaced by more modern machines and in 1906 she was forced into retirement.

Her brother Jack was used as a holiday residence but Jill sat idle until 1917 when she and Jack were bought by Minna Anson for £580.

Mrs Anson lived next to the mills for the rest of her life, caring for and improving the properties.

A garden was established, Jack was sheathed in iron and in 1948 a holding beam was installed in Jill to ensure she was kept in good repair.

The two windmills are thought to have been given their names by day trippers from London in the Twenties.

Jack and Jill went on to survive the war years and in the summer of 1973 found fame in Hollywood alongside actor Michael Caine.

Universal Pictures filmed The Black Windmill at the site, with stars including Caine, Donald Pleasance and Joss Ackland paying regular visits.

New sails were fitted to Jack for the film and his exterior repainted but Jill had to wait another five years to have the wind put back in her sails.

It was 25 years ago this month when the Jack and Jill Windmills Preservation Society was formed, dedicating itself to Jill's preservation.

Restoration work on Jill began immediately, with craftsmen joining society volunteers in the best traditions of English craftsmanship.

Local and national firms provided discounted, even free materials, and in 1986 Jill's millstones produced flour for the first time in 80 years.

The restoration project was documented with more than 3,000 photographs.

Jill's official reopening took place in July 1986 when a plaque was unveiled by Claudine Longhurst, whose husband had put the mill into public ownership.

However, Jill's troubles were not over and she was badly damaged in the Great Storm of October 1987.

At the height of the storm, wind speeds reached 120mph and caused Jill's sweeps to turn against the brake.

The friction produced sparks which set the building alight.

But the old lady, who was transported to Clayton from another site and is believed to be more than 180 years old, was saved by society members who reached her in time to bring the blaze under control.

More than 700 man-hours of voluntary labour were required to repair the damage.

The society, a registered charity, continues to maintain and care for Jill, now fully restored as a working windmill.

She normally receives visitors between 2pm and 5pm on Sundays and bank holidays from May to September.

Admission is free and there is a souvenir and tea shop, car park and picnic area.

When the wind is blowing, Jill goes back to work, giving a new generation the chance to witness the mysteries of a lost art.

For more details, go to www.jillwindmill.org.uk