HISTORIC Neath Castle will soon be made fit for a Queen.

Its custodians have revealed plans to give the 12th century site a makeover ready for the Queen's Jubilee celebrations.

Work on the gardens forms the first phase of the work, ready for a beacon to be lit there to mark the royal celebration in June.

Neath Town Council also has ambitious plans for a second stage, which will see the ruins — currently off-limits other than by special request — opened up for public use.

Town clerk Anne Ellis said the council had successfully applied to host one of the 2,012 beacons that the Queen had requested be lit across the country on the night of June 4.

"We are going to be spending quite a lot of money on the castle and doing it in two stages," said Mrs Ellis.

"The first phase will concentrate on the gardens and we will be putting in new flower beds to commemorate the Jubilee.

"There will also be new lighting and seating, while we are also looking at a covered pergola on the raised area there. It is out to tender now and we want to see the work started as soon as possible so everything will be ready by June."

Neath Castle is one of the town's historical gems and its origins date back to the 12th century.

The first earthworks, built in 1103, was replaced with a motte and bailey that was strengthened in stone in the early 13th century and then rebuilt in 1324 after the Welsh captured and badly damaged it.

It remained in use until the 16th century but now lies in ruins, with only the gatehouse still standing at close to its original height.

Phase one will see the dilapidated bridge connecting the gardens with the gatehouse removed and the area fenced off, with the lighting upgraded and a CCTV system also due to be installed.

Mrs Ellis said the council applied for the castle to be one of the 2,012 places that would like a beacon in June.

"We are ordering the beacon from the official source," she explained.

"It will use gas and there will be a flame.

"At the moment we are waiting for the time to be confirmed.

"The Queen will light a beacon at 10.30pm and the others will be lit from 10pm onwards."

A replacement bridge forms part of the second stage, which will see the castle ruins, which includes a cockpit, reopened to the public and story boards put up to explain its history.

"At the moment people cannot go in there unless they have applied for permission from us," said Mrs Ellis.

Both stages are likely to cost between £75,000 and £100,000 each, while the council will be working closely with Cadw on the second phase.

"The council has money available for the first phase although it is possible we may also get a grant," said Mrs Ellis.

"We will be seeking grant aid for the second phase. But the council is committed to doing the work whether it gets the grant or not."

paul.lewis@swwmedia.co.uk