The Welsh Government has pledged an additional £3.7m to protect and preserve the nation's cultural treasures.

The funds have been allocated for the current financial year to undertake vital repairs at the National Museum Cardiff and National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth which will cost around £3.2m.

Cabinet secretary for culture and social justice, Lesley Griffiths has said that the Government have listened to concerns about the financial pressure on cultural attractions at both a national and a local level.

An additional £500,000 has also been sanctioned to improve storage facilities, thereby preserving essential collections at local museums and archives, which narrate Wales' rich history.

Along with this, financial support will continue for the renovation of Amgueddfa Cymru’s Llanberis site, aiming to improve access to the national collection in North Wales.

The long-term vision of nurturing a National Contemporary Art Gallery has been temporarily shelved to protect and preserve the cultural instituations and their collections.

In addition to maintaining the cultural heritage of Wales, the redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd in Flintshire and The Football Museum for Wales in Wrexham will continue to benefit from the Welsh Government's investments.

The government is also working closely with Amgueddfa Cymru and the National Library of Wales to formulate plans for wider maintenance of the National Museum in Cardiff and the Library’s building in Aberystwyth.

Ms Griffiths said: "Our museums, archives and galleries are vital parts of cultural life in Wales and today’s announcement will help protect them and their collections for the benefit of people across Wales, now and in the future."

She also said: "We must continue to work together to safeguard our cultural institutions."

President of the Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales, Jane Henderson said: "We're delighted that Welsh Government is acknowledging the importance of caring for collections held in local museums and archives."

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Amgueddfa Cymru chief executive, Jane Richardson, said: "We are so pleased that Welsh Government are providing additional funding to start critical maintenance work at National Museum Cardiff."

Finally, National Library of Wales chief executive, Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, said: "We very much welcome this new investment by the Welsh Government which will go towards essential renovations to the National Library building in Aberystwyth.

"The national collection that is kept here is a treasure that belongs to the nation and the funding will enable works that are much needed.

"Completing these works will mean that the collections are safe in the long-term."