The cap of the windmill being rebuilt off High Street, Sheerness, was put on again less than five months after an arson attack on the distinctive structure.

The blaze, late on January 23, caused £250,000 damage.

About £50,000 damage was caused to the white cap alone but it has now been repaired and on Saturday it was carefully hoisted by a large crane 60ft to the top and secured.

Among those watching the delicate operation was Sheppey MP Derek Wyatt who has been shown detailed plans of the scheme.

More elaborate security pre-cautions are now in place around the windmill, owned by father and son team, Bernie and Caleb Watson.

Caleb said: “The eight-ton cap is lighter and shorter than the one we originally put up. It looks better and is more in keeping with the original mill which stood on the site."

There's still plenty of work to be done and Caleb said his insurance company has paid out £200,000 and estimated the family was about £50,000 out of pocket.

He added: “I expect the whole project will cost about £500,000 by the time it is all finished."

Full story in this week's Times Guardian