Nine heritage projects across Wales have been awarded a share of £2.4m from the Welsh Assembly Government in a bid to make the country's history more accessible.

The largest share of the funding (£1.001m) has been allocated to a scheme led by Conwy and Gwynedd Councils to support collaborative efforts exploring industrial heritage.

A £521,000 award has been given to Swansea University for plans to make the Hafod and Morfa Copperworks more accessible and provide interpretation of the site's significance.

Other recipients were Ffestiniog Railway Trust (£152,000); Pembrokeshire National Park Authority (£171,000); and the National Trust (£168,000) for a scheme in Carmarthenshire.

The funding has been made available through the Assembly Government's £19m Heritage Tourism Project, which is supported by £8.5m of European Union investment.

Welsh housing, regeneration and heritage minister Huw Lewis said: "This will allow us to develop facilities to tell Wales' story and to give visitors and residents a better understanding of our history and culture from different periods."

Details: www.wales.gov.uk

Image: Morfa Copperworks – Nigel Davies