THIS may look like just another dilapidated old cow shed to you - but believe it or not, it's an historical gem.

And to prove the point, Welsh historic monuments body Cadw is putting up £50,000 towards the £150,000 cost of renovating the building.

Cattle farmer Percy Jones, 85, had been using the building at Mamhilad near Pontypool as a cowshed and had no idea of its historical importance until a visit from Cadw officials.

Mr Jones was stunned to learn that his old cowshed was in fact one of the most important historical buildings in the county.

Now Ty Asch house is due to be renovated in a scheme costing the Jones family £100,000.

The farmhouse was built in 1550, and has remained almost untouched since then.

"Cadw told us it was the most important untouched building in the area", said Mr Jones.

The sandstone building, which also served as a bakery and cider press in the past, features the original spiral stone staircase, an eight-foot-long fireplace and some original oak doors, beams and window frames. Some 400-year-old rendering stills clings to the walls.

"Up to a year ago we used it as a cowshed," said Mr Jones, who has lived at the farm for 13 years. We were told we had to stop that and shut it off.

"Cadw came here and said they had heard of a place called Ty Asch House.

"We think perhaps a knowledgeable walker got in touch with Cadw to tell them it was there. We certainly didn't contact them.

"Now we know, we're responsible for putting the building back and stopping it deteriorating further".

Cadw's financial aid means the building will be made accessible to the public by appointment.

Work, by Cadw-approved contractors, is due to start in July and take around six months to complete.

Then the Jones' intend to let it out for holidays.

A spokesman for Cadw described Ty Asch as, "a classic example of the Monmouthshire vernacular building style".

"Somewhat extraordinarily, it has been almost completely unaltered since the time of its construction and retains most of its original features".