REPAIRING the walls, removing the stanchions and creating a public garden - those are the top options for local people when it comes to the future of Cardigan Castle.

A three day public consultation period was hosted last week by Cadwgan Trust as part of the feasibility study it is carrying out on the castle.

More than 60 people attended a public meeting in Bethania Chapel last Wednesday evening as the consultants involved with the castle study outlined their work so far.

Tentative options include: A Welsh language centre; A destination restaurant with cookery school; Holiday accommodation; Heritage centre; Public garden.

"Cardigan Castle is a difficult site to sort out," Niall Phillips, the architect leading the study told the public meeting.

"We cannot identify one single use for the site - it has to be a range of uses that compliment each other."

An engineer's report on the walls says that the stanchions can be safely taken away and the walls pinned back with unobtrusive rock anchors.

But the report also revealed that the walls are in a sorry state - with some sections in danger of collapse.

Opinions are split over options for Castle Green House.

Meifis Griffiths, the widow of founding Cadwgan trustee Trevor Griffiths, said: "I would not want to see Castle Green House made into holiday accommodation - it goes against our Welsh heritage."

But long-time castle campaigner Glen Johnson said he would be happy to see a body such as the Landmark Trust take over the house as it would guarantee a first rate restoration job.

"Castle Green House is the last surviving Georgian interior in Cardigan and merits being saved," he said.

Adele Clarke of St Dogmaels said both options were elitist.

"A holiday home or a restaurant - both of these are for rich people," she said.

County councillor Mair Morris praised the study and said: "We have to do something with the castle. We had a long battle to get it and we have to get some kind of consensus or we are not going to go anywhere."

And Mr Johnson added: "The bottom line is that we all want to see the castle restored and we want you to continue with the work."

Once Cadwgan has all the feedback, trust members will choose a favoured option which will then be fleshed out by the consultants.

A bid will be made for Heritage Lottery funding in the autumn and if the cash is forthcoming work could start on site by early 2009.