Pembroke Dock, Denbigh, Llandovery, Llangadog; Llanrwst and Rhymney will share the money.

The cash is being made available to help the revival of urban townscapes in need of restoration and renewal.

Lottery cash is funding the renovation schemes

It is aimed at supporting action by partnerships of public and other bodies to rejuvenate historic town centres in deprived areas.

A total of £1.75m has been earmarked for work on the rare surviving example of an Admiralty Dockyard together with a planned town at Pembroke Dock.

And over £1.25m will be made available to help regenerate the historic buildings and architecture spanning eight centuries at Denbigh. It is hoped the work will have progressed well by the time the town hosts the National Eisteddfod in 2002.

'Rare survival'

Llandovery and Llangadog will get £575,500, Llanrwst will get £373,000, Rhymney will £25,000 to preserve what is described as a rare survival of the architecture of south Wales_ industrial communities.

In each of the successful bids, the Welsh grants have been made following applications by local authorities.

Heritage Lottery Fund officials have been working with the local councils to develop a strategic approach to a townscape area, rather than focusing on individual historic buildings.