Margam Castle will house the National Centre for Photography

The Arts Council of Wales is pledging �2.4m towards creating the centre at Margam Castle, near Port Talbot, south Wales.

It is hoped Thursday's announcement will lead to further support and investment in the scheme.

Under current plans the castle will house five contemporary exhibition spaces, an interactive gallery, workshop and teaching spaces, library and digital archive facilities.

The project itself will be the greatest challenge as we seek to create a modern facility whilst working to retain the integrity of an historic building Ffotogallery director Christopher Coppock

There will also be residential accommodation for extended visits by photographers, artists and school groups.

Christopher Coppock, director of Ffotogallery, the national development agency for photography in Wales, welcomed the news.

He said: "The centre will offer an unique opportunity to realise a new national resource for this most popular art form in the context of one of Wales' most historic sites."

The centre will form part of a �4m redevelopment of Margam Castle and Margam Park, which recently hosted the youth festival, the Urdd Eisteddfod.

The grade one listed building, designed by Thomas Hopper in the 1830s, is considered to be an important example of 19th Century Gothic Revival architecture.

'Jewel in the crown'

Kath Davies, from the Arts Council of Wales said: "We hope that other backers will pledge their support to this exciting development.

"It should prove a valuable asset not only to the people of Neath Port Talbot but also to people across Wales, the UK and indeed beyond."

Organisers hope that the new facility will act as an outreach centre with a programme of touring exhibitions and educational opportunities.

Neath Port Talbot Council leader Noel Crowley said: "The first picture ever taken in Wales was taken at Margam Castle.

"The location that is regarded as the jewel in the crown for Neath Port Talbot.

"The authority has given an annual revenue commitment towards ensuring the success of the centre, and has already participated in a number of initiatives with Ffotogallery.

"We now need to progress a similar scheme with the Heritage Lottery Fund to secure the refurbishment of the castle at the same time."

Ffotogallery was established in 1978 and has recently outgrown its premises in Cardiff.

Mr Coppock added: "We are proud to think that what began as an initiative in Cardiff can become a project that truly has national significance.