A 32ft sail, one of the four on Marton windmill, was ripped off during the weekend gales.

The damage comes just five months after the landmark was given a £5,000 facelift and repainted from top to bottom.

Shirley Matthews, of the Friends of Marton Windmill, says even if the funds can be found to replace the broken sail it will still take up to six months to be replace it.

Due to the materials used any replacement sail – which would cost more than £5,000 – would have to be shipped to the Fylde coast from South America. Mrs Matthews said: "We're all gutted by this.

"We just can't believe this has happened. We were hoping to take some new photos of the windmill this spring when the daffodils came out.

"It's going to take an enormous amount of money to repair.

"Even if the money can be found it will take a long time because the sail will need to be made of pitch pine.

"The broken sail is also the template for the new one which needs to be made."

Scaffolding had been erected around the windmill in November when it underwent its recent facelift.