A �1m castle restoration project in Wales's oldest town is underway.

Tenders have been received to restore Carmarthen Castle and work will start next month and take six months to complete.

The south west tower has been restored

The work will involve opening the gatehouse and great tower to the public for the first time.

Three-quarters of the funding for the project is coming from a Lottery Heritage grant with the remainder being split between Welsh historic monuments agency Cadw and Carmarthenshire council.

It is the third of four phases in the scheme which will eventually cost �3m.

Carmarthenshire's Building Conservation Officer John Llewelyn said the restoration will mean a lot to tourism in the area.

"The castle is of strategic, military and historical importance," said Mr Llewelyn

"It is a major part of the town's history so not only will it benefit tourism but will also be of great value to the townspeople as well."

John Llewelyn: "great for the town"

Carmarthen Castle was first established in 1109 on the site of a pre-Roman, Celtic hill fort.

It has passed through many hands in the intervening centuries.

It has witnessed a number of fierce battles notably at the beginning of the 15th century when Owain Glyndwr burnt the town and took the castle from the English.

The Sir John Nash designed jail was built within the castle walls at the end of the 18th century and now houses the council's headquarters.

The great tower or keep is the oldest part of the castle and a boardwalk will be constructed to allow visitors to see views over the town.

The gate tower was built in 1406 and is considered by experts to be the best example from that period in the UK.