THE fate of the Newbridge Memorial Hall is in your hands - that's the message from supporters of the building's bid for a multi-million-pound makeover.

This evening the voting phonelines that will decide the winner of the BBC's Restoration programme will be thrown open to the public.

And on Sunday night hundreds of nervous supporters are expected to gather at the Memo to watch the live grand final when the winner will be announced.

The building stands to win a cool £3 million overhaul if it beats off competition from six others around the country to take the top prize.

Over the past month the Friends of the Newbridge Memo have been leading a tireless and high-profile campaign - backed by the Argus - in a bid to get as much support as possible for their cause. From a stand at the National Eisteddfod to distributing postcards asking people to vote - all part of a campaign to ensure the message gets across, not just locally but across Wales and beyond.

News of the building's plight has even reached France, with Anne-Marie Sendic a Paris pensioner with fond memories of the Memo donating £150 to the cause.

And the art-deco treasure has friends in high places, too.

Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, Falklands hero Simon Weston, rock stars the Manic Street Preachers and Cerys Matthews have all got behind the building.

Even legendary actor and film director Lord Attenborough has put his name to the campaign.

He said: "For me any building that combines the self-sufficiency of a Welsh mining community with a gorgeous but dilapidated art-deco cinema and theatre as a lasting tribute to First World War heroes is a compelling cause."

Local MP Don Touhig, the Archbishop of Wales, the Rt Rev Barry Morgan, and High Sheriff of Gwent Brian Watkins have all pledged their support.

Now supporters are keeping their fingers crossed and hoping all their hard work will pay off.