17th century mill once used to make paper for some of the first British banknotes has been destroyed by fire.

Dozens of firefighters battled to save Bere Mill, in Whitchurch, Hampshire, after the blaze broke out on Wednesday night.

The Saxon building, which was previously used to supply the Bank of England, was badly damaged.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said more than 50 firefighters in 12 engines had fought to save parts of the historic property.

The building was the original paper mill for Portals, the company that first supplied notes to the Bank of England in 1718.

The Bank of England has been issuing banknotes since 1694.

Over the years, the gardens of Bere Mill have been opened up as part of the National Garden Scheme.

The scheme's website says: "The mill buildings were the original location of Portals who first sold bank note paper to the Bank of England from the mill.

To read the complete article, see:
Whitchurch fire: Historic mill that made paper for early British banknotes isdestroyed in blaze (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/08/whitchurch-fire-historic-mill-made-paper-early-british-banknotes/)