Welsh Assembly Government grants totalling more than £400,000 have been awarded to 12 of Wales' most important historic buildings.

The funding, announced by minister for heritage, Alun Ffred Jones, will be used to carry out essential repairs and restoration work to a variety of structures, including Companies House, part of the Blaenavon Company's original shop on the ironworks site at Blaenavon, Torfaen and described as being of "outstanding historical interest".

Among the other recipients are the National Language and Heritage Centre near Pwllheli, Gwynedd; Hafodunos Hall, a Grade I listed mid-19th century house built by Sir Gilbert Scott in Abergele, Conwy; Ty'r Ywen, an upland farmstead at Crickhowell, Powys; and The Historical & Nautical Museum, Nefyn, Gwynedd.

Further beneficiaries include Stanage Park at Knighton, Powys, a 19th century house designed by Humphrey Repton; the stables at Bodrhyddan Hall, Rhuddlan, Debighshire; and 3 Buckingham Place in Brecon, Powys, a mid-16th century townhouse.

Jones said: "The range of buildings shows the rich variety of heritage sites we have in Wales and the range of sites that Cadw help preserve. These grant offers will ensure these important buildings are restored and maintained for the enjoyment of future generations."

Cadw is the Welsh Assembly Government's historic environment service.