AN AMBITIOUS plan to renovate a historic church is to receive a substantial grant from the Assembly.

Heritage minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas announced Our Lady of Peace RC Church in Newbridge will be awarded £170,000 for a programme of improvements.

Father Kevin Paine is hoping to get the church back up to its original 1930s glory.

However it is thought it will need at least £1 million to get the church up to scratch.

The money has been offered to repair the fabric of the building - a striking Italian-style white church.

Ceiling heating in the church - said to leave the building freezing - is to be replaced, while the outside wall will be re-rendered.

The ceiling itself will be restored to its original state, as will the stations of the cross.

The sanctuary's marble at the east end of the church will be replaced, while a lower alter area will be added.

In addition a gathering space is planned for the side of the building, allowing the catholic church to offer commuity events and provide a disabled entrance.

The church is known to have applied to Cadw and other agencies for funding.

In total the Welsh Assembly is offering a total of £600,000 to 12 historic buildings in Wales.

The Gatehouse of Moynes Court, Mathern, has been offered £27,000 towards the cost of external repairs to the stonework, roof, cast iron rainwater goods and windows.

The building - a Jacobean mansion - served as a palace of the Bishops of Llandaff from 1610 until 1763.

Priory Gardens in Abergavenny will receive £2,400 to rebuild and repoint its boundary walls.