A new visitor facility is to be created at Denbigh Castle, North Wales, after plans to improve the attraction's tourist experience received £600,000 from Cadw.

The funding has been made available through the agency's £19m Heritage Tourism Project, which is supported by £8.5m of European Union investment. Plans for Denbigh Castle will also incorporate the opening up of wall walks, enhancements to the site's interpretation and upgraded links with Denbigh's wider historic landscape.

Meanwhile, Cadw has also secured funding to replace the castle's floodlights with LED low energy lights through the Welsh Assembly's Strategic Capital Investment Fund. Welsh heritage minister Alun Ffred Jones said: "The much needed new visitor centre will include reception facilities, ticketing point, retail and interpretation of the monument within its landscape.

"[It] will also ensure that the outstanding heritage of Denbigh is more accessible and enjoyable to visit - both for visitors and people who live in Wales." Image: Jones (second from left) examines plans for Denbigh Castle