Copper mining first took place on Parys Mountain in the Bronze Age

Amlwch Port and Parys Mountain in Anglesey and Faenol Old Hall near Bangor, just a few miles away, are two of the Welsh contenders in the BBC's Restoration programme.

They are competing with an 18th Century townhouse - Llanelly House - in Llanelli to be preserved from ruin in the Welsh leg of the TV Pop Idol-style vote.

Anglesey-born Euro MP Glenys Kinnock is the celebrity advocate for Parys Mountain, and says she is "passionate" about it.

Copper mining took place at Parys Mountain from as far back as the Bronze Age, until it was brought to a halt in 1915.

Meanwhile, Amlwch Port is the 18th Century industrial harbour used to ship away the copper extracted nearby.

Llanelly House is considered to be a fine example of a town house

"Where else in Britain, where else in the world indeed, could you go and actually see the Bronze Age workings, see where the foundations of the British Industrial Revolution were laid?" she said.

Actor Robert Hardy, meanwhile is championing the cause of the Faenol Old Hall.

Thought to date back to the 1550s, the hall was home to the Williams and Smith families until 1980 when it was sold at auction and later fell into disrepair.

"Faenol is remarkable for its ability to take you into the past," said Hardy.

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"When you first see it, standing there, it is tough and rugged.

"I spent most of my childhood on the Welsh borders and I am intrigued and devoted to almost everything Welsh."

Restoration's presenter, Cardiff-born Griff Rhys Jones, has visited all three Welsh contenders.

"What's my favourite? Now actually I'm not allowed to say," said Rhys Jones, who admits the return to Wales has been "'a bit of a sentimental journey".

The winner from the Welsh programme will progress to a UK final when the public will decide on the project most worthy of the multi-million pound restoration.