A BID to save an "important piece of Monmouthshire history" has officially been launched to coincide with Eisteddfod.

Gunter Mansion, in Abergavenny, is currently owned by a commercial property, but is said to be in a poor state with the ceiling at risk of collapse.

A campaign was launched online last week by the Welsh Georgian Trust, who describe the mansion as one of the “most important buildings at risk in Wales" and an "important piece of Monmouthshire history."

The trust aims to raise £10,000 to help restore and regenerate the building and has launched the campaign to coincide with Eisteddfod and the 400th Anniversary of Catholic martyr David Lewis’ birth in August.

Chairman of the Welsh Georgian Trust, Andrew Beckett is hoping that launching it alongside Eisteddfod will help to give it some publicity, and help repair the water penetration that has damaged the building.

He said: “Gunter Mansion is a vastly important piece of history for Wales.

“It is important in the prospect of the Catholic Church in Abergavenny and it has been for many years, and it has a unique story as well.”

The trust has managed to negotiate an option agreement to purchase the building for £150,000 but say that time is running out to save the building as the option expires at the end of the year.

There is a rich history behind the mansion, as it was originally the home of the Catholic Gunter family.

Open Catholic services were held at the house by David Lewis and Philip Evans in an attic chapel in defiance of a government ban on Catholicism.

However, their activities were reported to Parliament and the priests were arrested and executed in 1679.

The chapel within the mansion was only rediscovered in the 20th century after builders broke into the building.

“The mansions history is fantastic. It would be great to renovate it and reopen it in Abergavenny.

“That’s why we want to save the building and open it again to the public so people can visit it as it as key piece of Welsh history,” said Mr Beckett.

Anyone wanting to donate to Gunter Mansion has five weeks to visit the crowdfunding page at crowdfunder.co.uk/gunter-mansion-and-its-hidden-17th-c-chapel