The �80,000 scheme could help regenerate the town

The "Celebration of Timber Buildings" at Llanidloes Market Hall is dedicated to the history of half-timbered buildings.

These structures were a favoured form of construction common in mid Wales in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Llanidloes Market Hall is a Grade 1 listed building and the only one of its kind left in Wales.

The �82,000 scheme has seen the refurbishment and adaptation of the building - built about 1612 - into an exhibition centre providing an interactive display and a history of timber-framed buildings.

Llanidloes can claim to be the first venue in the country having an attraction based on half-timbered buildings Gareth Morgan, councillor

A partnership between Powys council and Llanidloes town council has drawn down the funding grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Regeneration project

Councillor Gareth Morgan, the council's tourism, arts and culture board member, said he was "thrilled" that work had finished on this attraction.

"Llanidloes can claim to be the first venue in the country having an attraction based on half-timbered buildings."

The scheme is part of the Llanidloes regeneration project which aims to attract more visitors to the town hit hard this year with the imminent closure of the local KTH plant with the loss of 250 jobs.

Cllr Morgan is thrilled that the exhibition is now ready for opening

"I hope this attraction will bring thousands of extra visitors to the town," added Cllr Morgan.

Dr Charles Kightly, the historical consultant responsible for the Judge's Lodgings at Presteigne, was employed to create the exhibition.

"The market hall is quite small so we've tried to pack as much as we can into it," he said.

"There will be more pictures than text but for people who want more information there will be two interactive computer points available."

In a move to include all sections of the community, the project's management committee has representatives from the local chamber of trade, a pensioners' group, church council and local history group, the Arwystli Society.

Its chairman, Carroll Davies, said the exhibition aimed to open for 120 days a year and be manned by volunteers.

Wood used in several Llanidloes buildings was analysed this year

"A number of volunteers have now come forward and I am very excited about the effect this exhibition could have on Llanidloes.

"Brochures will be sent all over the country which should attract thousands of visitors to the town.

The market hall, which has timbers in it dating back to about 1560, is not the only example of a timber framed building in Llanidloes.

According to Mr Davies, part of the visitor experience could involve a guided tour, taking in several other buildings which have timber frames.

"There are several public houses, including a wonderful example at the Elephant, which provide examples of this type of architecture inside," added Mr Davies.

Earlier this year samples of oak were taken from the market hall and the town's St Idloes church and analysed by an Oxford-based scientist.

He revealed the hall was built between 1612 and 1622 although wood used for the building dates back to 1540.