AN ANCIENT farm building will now play an important role in the future of a Gwent market town, thanks to a massive cash boost.

Once threatened with demolition, the grade two listed Tithe Barn in Abergavenny has won a £829,000 Heritage Lottery Fund windfall for its restoration and conversion.

It will become a heritage education centre with much-needed facilities for school groups, societies, musicians, crafts people and visitors and will include an area outlining the history of the town and an exhibition space. The 12th century barn forms part of St Mary's Priory Church, founded by Benedictine monks in 1087, and has already been earmarked as a new venue for the Abergavenny Food Festival.

HLF funded an extension to the Priory Centre, which adjoins the church, in 1999 and this latest work by St Mary's Priory Development Trust will ensure the two centres become a community focal point.

Chairman Sir Trefor Morris welcomed the funding which meant the Tithe Barn project could now be completed.

"I am most grateful to the HLF for all the help and advice they have given to the St Mary's Priory Development Trust which will enable us to deliver a first class community facility and heritage asset," he said.

Jennifer Stewart, the fund's manager for Wales, said restoring such "heritage gems" could provide a catalyst for further regeneration.

"The Tithe Barn project is driven by great enthusiasm and the completed heritage centre will have enormous benefits, both in creating a much-needed facility for the local community and in attracting visitors to the area."

Work is due to start on the barn in August and should be completed by July next year.

David Davies, Monmouth's MP and AM, was also delighted at the news and said the "wonderful" building would now be secured for future generations to enjoy.

The Trust hopes to build its volunteer base to more than 150 and train them as stewards to support visitors.

HLF's grant is the 66th awarded in Monmouthshire and the total amount of lottery money is more than £5million. Other projects to have benefited include Usk Castle and Llanddewi Skirrid village hall.