Work has been carried out on Carmarthen Castle for two years

Major restoration has been carried out on Carmarthen castle over the last two years and structural work has now been completed.

The work has been finished in time for the school summer holiday and Carmarthenshire council hopes it will help attract tourists io the town.

But the council says it still has to secure grant aid for the final phase of the works.

During the renovations, a network of medieval walls was discovered.

Experts now believe key streets in the town centre were once lower than they are today. An area was cordoned off so archaeologists could uncover its secrets.

Stonework believed to be once connected to a drawbridge was also unearthed along with a barbican - a tower for defence - thought to have faced Bridge Street.

There has been a huge amount of interest from the public and we are now seeking grants for the fourth and final phase John Llewelyn, Carmarthenshire Council

Specialist stone masons were brought in to re-point the walls and structural repairs were made to the shell keep and gatehouse.

Some buildings alongside the castle in Nott Square and Bridge Street were also demolished as part of the work to open up the castle.

Mark James, the council's chief executive said that the scheme had been funded by a heritage lottery grant, the Welsh historic monuments body Cadw and the Carmarthenshire council.

"The enhancement of Carmarthen castle is of huge importance to the area," he said.

"It will bring about real benefits in terms of tourism and the spin off effects for the whole community.

"Archaeological work being carried out is expected to produce findings of national importance which will strengthen our position on the map," he said.

Some buildings were demolished in Nott Square

The final phase of the work will include the construction of a landscaped concourse in front of the castle.

It is planned that the gateway between County Hall and Nott Square will be closed while this work takes place.

Council conservation officer John Llewelyn said: "The main work has been done, including all the structural repairs and the re-pointing of the walls.

"The remainder of the works are aimed at making it more attractive to boost the commercial viability of Nott Square.

Tudor

"This has been a very exciting scheme and it will bring about real benefits for the town.

"There has been a huge amount of interest from the public and we are now seeking grants for the fourth and final phase," he added.

Archaeologists will remain at the site while detailed excavation works are carried out following the discovery of cellars and an underground blocked doorway believed to date back to Tudor times.

The castle was originally founded in 1109 by Henry I and became to centre for Norman control for the region.

But much of the building was destroyed by Owain Glyndwr's rising in the fifteenth century before being strengthened during the civil war in the 1640s.