NEWBRIDGE'S Memo holds a special place in Assembly Member Jocelyn Davies' heart.

Because she had her first kiss in the spectacular art-deco cinema/theatre currently bidding for a £3 million television makeover.

South Wales East AM Ms Davies remembers having her first kiss in the landmark Celynen Collieries Institute and Memorial Hall - better known as the Newbridge Memo - in the late 1960s.

Ms Davies, who grew up in the town and still lives there, is fully backing the efforts of the Friends of Newbridge Memo, who have saved it from dereliction and have vowed to restore it to its former glory.

Your Argus has become the official newspaper of the Newbridge Memo as it competes with historic landmarks from all over the country for the £3 million awarded to the winner of the BBC2 programme Restoration to be screened later this month.

Ms Davies said: "I was in primary school, about nine or ten, and it was with a boy called Kim.

"We went to see a film and it was towards the end of the 60s, but I don't remember what it was called.

"In those days, if you really wanted to show off, you would go onto the balcony because it was more expensive to sit there.

"There wasn't any messing about up there because as soon as anybody would lark around one of the ushers would shine a torch in your face and they would throw you out!"

She also has fond memories of the top-draw dance floor, where she would attend discos in her early teens and, a few years later, where she would watch rock bands every Sunday night.

She said: "Sunday night at the Memo was the place to be when you were in your late teens. As long as it was loud we didn't really care who it was.

"It is a place that has got an incredible reputation - you can go anywhere across Wales, and when you say you are from Newbridge people will ask you if the Memo is still there.

"It is a building that holds a lot of memories for a lot of people. I'm really pleased the Argus is campaigning for the 'stute, and I can tell you that the Friends of Newbridge Memo are doing a fantastic job. It was in a very poor state when they took it over last year, but I live opposite and I can see it is already returning to its former glory."