The cathedral grew up on the site of a 12th century monastery

The money will allow unseen treasurers at St David's Cathedral in Pembrokeshire to go on show to the public for the first time.

A scheme is planned to restore the ruined cloisters at the famous landmark which dates back to the 12th century.

The award from the Lottery Heritage Fund means work can now start on building a north porch, rebuilding the ruined south cloister and installing a new treasury.

We have a wonderful medieval collection stored off site that we can now bring to light in a setting where it can be admired The Very Reverend J Wyn Evans

At the same time disabled access will be improved at the cathedral which attracts more than 250,000 visitors a year.

Announcing the �543,000 grant, the chairman of the fund in Wales, Professor Tom Pritchard said the cathedral was one of the most important buildings in Wales.

"St David's Cathedral is not just important to the heritage of Wales as the shrine to its patron saint, but to the wider Christian and archaeological communities across the world," he said.

"We felt that the cloisters project presented a powerful mix of the old and the new, creating routes of access to the cathedral and its treasures as well as protecting and preserving the historic fabric of the building for future generations to enjoy."

Medieval

Dean of St David's, the Very Reverend J Wyn Evans said, "More than a quarter of a million visitors come here every year, making us one of the most visited heritage sites in Wales.

"This programme of works will help us cater more effectively for them and enable disabled visitors, for example, to view areas previously inaccessible to them.

"We have a wonderful medieval collection stored off site that we can now bring to light in a setting where it can be admired and appreciated."