Villagers have said they lost a major part of their heritage when a wood mill exploded.

Bosley residents have been coming to terms with the explosion at Wood Flour Mill on Tunstall Road two weeks ago which completely destroyed the building.

The mill had been run by Wood Treatment Ltd for 90 years, but the site had a much longer history.

It was originally built by Macclesfield mill owner Charles Roe in around 1760. He owned copper and lead mines and the Bosley works was set up to refine copper and brass.

The mills were sold in 1801 and again in 1806 and saw several changes of use. In 1855 they were converted into corn mills and the business became Wood Treatment Ltd in the 1930s.

It was the ideal location for a mill harnessing the power of the River Dane which runs alongside. There was a railway between Leek and Macclesfield there until the 50s.

Sam Alston, Bosley Parish Council chairman who has lived in the village for 20 years, said it’s a major piece of Bosley life lost forever.

He said: “The mill has been at the heart of the village for so long and hadn’t changed much in recent years.

“People are thinking about their memories of the mill. It’s an important industrial site and now it’s completely destroyed.

“I remember cycling past as a kid and it’s been the same for decades so this has been a massive shock.

“It’s been a typical busy mill and much of the lovely old buildings have been overtaken by more modern tin structures, so it wasn’t as picturesque as it used to be, but people will still be looking back fondly on the mill.

“There will be a lot of retired people and people whose parents worked there who will have lots of memories.

“Whatever you think of the site, it’s been a major employer is a huge part of Bosley’s history. It will never be the same again.”

Chris Pownall, who used to work at the mill and wrote a book Dane Mills about the site’s history, said he’s devastated by what’s happened.

He said: “I used to work there when business was booming and have very happy memories.

“I was an apprentice engineer working on repairing machinery. The mill ground up wood and mica into fine powder.

“I’m very saddened by what’s happened and don’t think it will ever come back.

“It’s so sad for the families.”