Cardigan Castle dates back to the 12th Century

Campaigners had hoped Cardigan castle would make it into Sunday's final as the highest-polling runner up and join the seven regional winners.

But Newbridge Miners Institute and Hall will be the only Welsh building.

The eighth finalist and best runner-up in the series was Bawdsey Transmitter Block in Suffolk.

Cardigan Castle, which hosted the first ever National Eisteddfod, was bought by the county council last year, after falling into disrepair.

The castle has been at the centre of battles between Welsh princes and Norman invaders, and was given as a dowry to Catherine of Aragon when she married Henry VIII.

�3.5m needed

There has been a building on the site since at least Norman times and it would have needed an estimated �3.5m to be restored.

But in an announcement last month, Ceredigion council said the first step towards restoration of the Cardigan castle was now possible thanks to more than �100,000 of funding.

The money from Objective One and the Heritage Lottery Fund would map out a complete restoration plan, drawing on archaeological, ecological and structural studies.

The grand final of the Restoration series, featuring eight buildings, will take place on Sunday, presented by Griff Rhys Jones.

The winning building will secure the funds raised during the series - including �2.5m set aside by the Heritage Lottery Fund.