Dereham's venerable windmill has been given a new lease on life following a £20,500 update.

Eastern Daily Press: Dereham windmill reopens for the summer.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018Dereham windmill reopens for the summer.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

And now, the community has come together to celebrate the reopening of the landmark which has stood proudly over the town since it was built in 1835.

Hundreds of visitors flocked to a fun day at the site on Sunday to mark the occasion, and check out the windmill's latest attraction - a ghostly hologram of former miller Mr Fendick.

Alison Webb, the windmill's head of fundraising, said the hologram, which is projected onto a door on the building's first floor, cost £2,500 to install.

She said: 'It's going to give people more of a reason to visit the windmill.'

Eastern Daily Press: Dereham windmill reopens for the summer.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018Dereham windmill reopens for the summer.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

Played by a volunteer, the hologram explains the history of the structure.

There were also attractions around the windmill including stalls including a tombola and plenty of music keeping things lively.

Some youngsters enjoyed playing on bouncy castles, whilst others took part in a fancy dress parade.

There was also a display of classic cars which included everything from a 1922 Model T Ford to a 1977 Triumph Spirit.

Eastern Daily Press: Dereham windmill reopens for the summer.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018Dereham windmill reopens for the summer.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

A special guest was Biscuit, the Dereham Carnival mascot.

Brian Webb, the windmill's charity chairman, said the structure had been closed for the past two months for a complete repainting at a cost of £18,000 - a process that has to be repeated every five years.

The mill had been left abandoned for some years as all attempts at finding funding to refurbish the building failed.

But a new committee was formed about eight years ago, and enough money was raised over the following five years to refurbish the windmill, replace its sails and build a cafe nearby.

Eastern Daily Press: The winner of a fancy dress competiton at the Dereham Windmill re-opening fun day. Picture: SUPPLIED BY BRIAN WEBBThe winner of a fancy dress competiton at the Dereham Windmill re-opening fun day. Picture: SUPPLIED BY BRIAN WEBB (Image: Archant)

Mr Webb said along with an exhibit about the windmill's history on the ground floor, the upper floors were being used as a gallery and exhibition centre. He said he was delighted with the success of the refurbishment project.

Mr Webb said: 'It's so popular it's now booked for the rest of this year and most of next year.

'It's drawn people up here to use the surrounds as well. People have picnics and play, and that's very positive.'

£1,148.25 was raised for the windmill charity at the fun day.

Eastern Daily Press: Dereham windmill reopens for the summer.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018Dereham windmill reopens for the summer.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

Are you planning a community event? Email stuart.anderson@archant.co.uk

Eastern Daily Press: Dereham windmill reopens for the summer.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018Dereham windmill reopens for the summer.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Dereham windmill reopens for the summer.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018Dereham windmill reopens for the summer.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Dereham windmill reopens for the summer.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018Dereham windmill reopens for the summer.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Dereham windmill reopens for the summer.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018Dereham windmill reopens for the summer.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Sonya Duncan)