THE final countdown to save one of the finest remaining art-deco cinemas in Britain has begun.

In less than 24 hours, supporters of the Newbridge Memorial Hall will be able to cast their vote in the Welsh regional final of the BBC2 programme Restoration.

The victor from the heat will be entered into the grand final to compete against buildings from all over Britain in urgent need of repair.

The Friends of Newbridge Memo, formed last year to save it after a long period of dereliction, have estimated that the £3 million cash prize at stake for the overall winner will cover the total renovation costs of the building.

Some supporters believe a scheduling blunder by BBC2W - the digital channel who will not be showing the programme until Wednesday night - could cost them valuable votes as some viewers may be unaware of the change in the listings or will not have enough time to send their text messages.

Banners advertising the Newbridge Memo number to vote have also been stolen from bridges in Aberbeeg and Risca.

To compensate, the Argus - the official campaign newspaper of the Newbridge Memo - took to the streets with model Olivia Treverton Jones to remind everybody of the importance of casting their vote.

Already the campaign to save the community facility has garnered a great deal of support in Newbridge, thanks to the tireless work of the Friends of Newbridge Memo.

In the last few months, the group have shown just how important the building is for the town and surrounding area by hosting a series of events, including talks by Falklands veteran Simon Weston, and chairman of Tower Colliery, Tyrone O'Sullivan.

Jatinder Bajwa, owner of Bajwa News in Newbridge, said: "The people are getting right behind the campaign and it is proving very popular locally.

"There are a lot of people talking about its chances, and I will be definitely voting for the Memo on Tuesday - I hope all my customers will do, also."

Howard Stone, chairman of the Friends of Newbridge Memo, said: "Nothing happens by sitting back and waiting.

"You make things happen or they don't happen.

"One way to make sure something happens is by voting, because the Memo is a special part of our history and heritage."