WIN or lose, the campaign to secure funding to restore a landmark art-deco cinema/theatre in Gwent will be captured for posterity in a documentary.

Documentary film and television student Alan Terrell from the University of Wales, Newport, and Cwmcarn High school sixth former Jack Cooper have been focusing on the campaign.

Together they have collected more than eight hours of footage over the last two months by filming the Friends of Newbridge Memo as they campaigned tirelessly to save the Institute and Memorial Hall.

The Argus has become the official campaign newspaper of the Memo as the group bid for the £3 million on offer to the winner of the BBC2 programme Restoration.

Last week the Memo polled nearly half of the 100,000 votes - the highest total so far in the competition - to win the Welsh heat of the competition and make it through to the final on August 8.

Alan and Jack were on hand to capture the magic moment on Sunday when the announcement was made.

Mr Terrell, aged 22, of Mount Pleasant Terrace, Pontywaun, said he was approached by Helen Whitney of the Friends of Newbridge several months ago to embark on the project.

"I'm in my third year of my course and I need to do two films and a dissertation for it," said Mr Terrell. "I had an idea for one film and at the time I wasn't really looking for another idea but when I went on a tour and saw the cinema it clinched it for me.

"I leapt at the chance and decided there and then to do it - it has now taken over my life.

"I have been down there just about every day since. "The project is going great and there is talk of releasing it as a DVD or video to help raise funds for the Memo.

"It would be a great memento to look back on when the building is eventually restored."

Tracey Lewis, committee member on the Friends of Newbridge Memo, said: "They are both here all the time and are so keen.

"I don't think it is a project to them anymore because they have really come on board - they are almost like a part of the furniture now."