VICTORIAN remains of a flour mill have been discovered at York’s Hungate dig and archaeologists are now turning to the public for help.

Experts say substantial remains of a building which once housed a massive steam engine used to power machinery in Leetham’s Flour Mill have been discovered.

Standing on the banks of the River Foss in the Hungate area of York city centre until the 1930s, Leetham’s Flour Mill may have been one of Europe’s largest flour mills. Archaeologists are now calling for people to come forward with their memories of this part of the city’s industrial past.

The excavation and research carried out by York Archaeological Trust (YAT) shows there were two mills in the Hungate area during the late 19th and early 20th centuries; a saw mill owned by William Bellerby and the flour mill.

Ian Milsted, YAT field officer, who led the recent industrial age excavations at Hungate, said: “When people talk about industry in York it’s usually in connection with confectionery or railways, but what we’ve uncovered at Hungate are remains relating to a company some believe to have been the second largest flour producer in Europe by the start of the 20th century.

“Discovering the mills has revealed a fascinating part of York’s industrial past that we rarely hear about. Our research has provided lots of information about the mills themselves, but there are gaps in our knowledge.

“We’d love to hear from anyone who remembers either of the mills, who worked there, lived in the area or knows somebody who did. We know that a fire gutted the Leetham’s mill around 1930, and there are records of complaints from local residents about the factory fumes. Perhaps this will help jog a few memories?”

Anyone with stories or memories should phone 01904 663000. Alternatively visit the Hungate excavations at 3pm on Saturday for a free industrial archaeology study day run by the Greater York Community Archaeology Project.

To book a place, phone community archaeologist Jon Kenny, on 01904 663020, email jkenny@yorkat.co.uk or visit yorkarchaeology.co.uk