TWO Grade II listed properties in Monmouthshire have been awarded almost £800,000 between them for refurbishment and restoration work to be done.

A grant for £704, 500 has been given to Drybridge House in Priory Street, Monmouth by the Heritage Lottery Fund to help pay for the cost of restoration.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has also awarded the Sessions House in Maryport Street, Usk £64,700

Drybridge House, and stable block was built in 1671 by William Roberts, receiver and paymaster of the works at Windsor Castle. The House was enlarged and restored in 1867. In the early 1990s it was used as a police station. These days it forms part of a community centre.

Sheila Salter, chairman of the board of trustee directors, said she was delighted with the grant which will pay for 60 per cent of the restoration work.

Mrs Salter said she expects the work to start early in the New Year and take 12 months to complete.

She said: "The money will be used for restoring the fabric of the building, the stonework and the ballroom stonework and the flooring. All the oak panelling will also be restored. There's a lot of repair work to be done. Once restored it will be a fantastic asset for Monmouth."

Mandy Russell, mayor of Monmouth, said: "It's wonderful news."

At the Sessions House in Usk refurbishment work is expected to begin in February and take up to six months to complete. The work will cost £100,000.

Although the Heritage Lottery Fund has promised money towards the project a further £25,000 will be provided by Cadw.

Work to be done includes the restoration of decayed stonework on the front and side of the building, repairs to the roof, and the building of an access facility and parking for disabled people.

The Sessions House was built in 1877 by Thomas Wyatt, who also designed the adjacent jail.