Cardigan Castle dates back to the 12th Century

In the past month the owner, Ceredigion County Council, has been offered grants of �150,000 - the latest a �60,000 offer from Cadw.

A report has been commissioned by the authority to advise councillors on the best way to restore the castle.

And the council is also been seeking a buyer for the 12th century building.

Cardigan Castle, which hosted the first ever National Eisteddfod in 1176, was bought by the county council last year, after falling into disrepair.

A council spokeswoman said: "Our intention was to raise the profile of Cardigan Castle as a building and site of tremendous historic and cultural importance which is important to restore.

"We have certainly done this.

"We've always been looking for a building preservation trust which could buy the castle, but we bought it so it wouldn't slip into further decline.

"A building preservation trust would have more funds available to restore the castle to its former glory.

"If one cannot be found the council will continue to apply for funding although the work will be completed at a much slower pace."

She added: "In the past month we have received offers of �50,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund as a project planning grant, together with �44,000 from Europe under the Objective 1 programme to help us carry out the necessary background work, and �60,000 from Cadw towards emergency repairs."

Newbridge Institute and Memo won through to the Restoration final

An options and feasibility study to advise officials on the ways in which the castle can be restored has also been commissioned.

The council spokeswoman added: "The next steps will be to carry out the background work using the grant aid and to carry out emergency work when finance is secured."

A spokesman for the historic environment agency Cadw added: "The �60,000 is for Castle Green House which is in the grounds of Cardigan Castle and inextricably linked with it. It was built in 1827.

"Cadw feels the castle has an important part to play in the history of Cardigan and west Wales.

"It's the first grant application we've had from the local authority and any further application will be considered on its own merits."

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.

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.

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

The Old Grammar School, in Kings Norton, Birmingham, won funds raised during the series - including �2.5m set aside by the Heritage Lottery Fund - to restore it fully.

Newbridge Miners' Institute and Hall, south Wales, finished runner-up following the TV vote.