A BAND is hoping to make the Newbridge Memo its permanent home. The Celynen Collieries Institute Silver Band raised the roof at the Memo with a special performance last night.

The youth section of the band was joined by some of the older members to play a one-night only set in the incredible art deco cinema.

Howard Stone, chairman of the Friends of Newbridge Memo group, said: "It threw up a lot of memories, and threw up a lot of dust too! It was a great performance. The old place hasn't felt anything like it in a long time."

Mr Stone said if the Memo wins the BBC Restoration vote - in a campaign being backed by the Argus - he hopes regular concerts and musicals will be staged in the cinema hall.

"The sound and acoustics are absolutely amazing," he said. "You can only imagine how much better it would be with 700 people in here." The oldest member of the Silver Band, Colin Price, said he has always dreamed of playing in the memo.

He said: "We are used to being a nomadic band but it would be great to have this as our home.

"I never imagined we would play here. To be honest, I never thought it would come to the situation where we would be able to."