AN 18th century watermill in Ryedale has generated 1,000,000 kilowatt hours of green power through a combination of traditional and new technology.

Howsham Mill, which is run by the charitable Renewable Heritage Trust, has been generating hydroelectric energy, and exporting it to the National Grid, since the mid-2000s.

At about 10.30am on Monday, the online meter, which shows how much green power has been generated, ticked over to 1,000,000kWh - six years, 11 months and 13 days after the screw turbine was connected to the grid.

Dave Mann, managing director of MannPower Consulting, which installed the original screw, said: “This is a fabulous example of how old and new technology can work alongside each other to generate completely clean electricity.

“One million kilowatt hours of energy is enough to boil 60 million full kettles.”

The mill was the first venue in the country to use the new Archimedean screw technology, installing a 20kW scheme in 2007.

The trust is currently installing a second 40kW screw.

Martin Phillips, of the Renewable Heritage Trust, said: “Restoring Howsham Mill has given an 18th-century building a 21st-century use, generating hydro-electricity.”

Howsham Mill is also now an environmental education centre after being restored between 2003 and 2013 by the trust, using teams of volunteers and funding from sources including the Heritage Lottery Fund.

For more information, visit howshammill.org.uk