Experts to check on town facelift

Up to 20 properties have been restored so far in Cardigan

Heritage officials and members of the public have been invited to Cardigan to be shown the progress of a £2.8m project to restore its old buildings.

The three-year scheme is aimed at returning historic buildings in the Ceredigion town to their former glory.

They have organised a heritage day so people from across Wales can see how restoration impacts on regeneration.

Around 20 properties have been refurbished so far using traditional building methods.

Recreating Pride in Cardigan has been running for a year.

Town officials said that by enhancing the seaside town's heritage they hoped to boost confidence in the local economy.

We want to attract a good mix of conservation and heritage experts Gary Cooper

Project manager and Cardigan conservation officer Gary Cooper said: "The scheme has proven to be very successful, achieving a large number of building refurbishments that have added value to the visual impact of Cardigan's town centre and conservation area.

"The heritage day will be an opportunity for members of the public as well as professionals in the area to discuss and learn about heritage practices such as lime restoration."

Among the guest speakers will be Marianne Suhr of the BBC's Restoration programme and Judith Alfrey of Welsh historic buildings agency, Cadw.

Mr Cooper added: "We want to attract a good mix of conservation and heritage experts, builders and interested members of the public; enabling an easy exchange of information between professionals and the community."

The European Union funded the Cardigan's restoration project.

The event will be staged at Cardigan's Theatr Mwldan on 27 September from 1000 BST.