POLITICIANS from across Gwent are supporting the campaign to restore the Newbridge Memo.

Newbridge councillors Lyn Ackerman, Kath Baker and Mike Davies say that they have been helping to spread the word and are urging as many people as possible to vote next week.

Voting in the Welsh regional finals of the BBC's Restoration programme is due to begin on Tuesday.

If the Memo beats off competition to get into the national final, they could win a £3 million prize to restore the Memo - a bid that is being backed by the Argus.

The councillors say that the Friends of Newbridge Memo trustees have done a "marvellous job in kick-starting this ambitious and exciting project" and that the community would be glad to see it back in community use.

Councillor Davies said: "I remember watching my still favourite film The 300 Spartans starring Richard Egan.

"As I got a bit older I enjoyed a game of snooker with plenty of banter at the 'Stute."

On Monday, the leader of Caerphilly council, Harry Andrews, will wear a Save Newbridge Memo T-shirt to muster support for the campaign when he visits the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells and he will be joined by Caerphilly mayor David Wiltshire.

They will visit the Memo before setting off for the show.

Newport East AM John Griffiths said the hall has a very strong case.

"It has great cultural and architectural value and is a major part of local and national heritage," he said.

And Blaenau Gwent AM Peter Law added he was supporting his Islwyn colleagues - MP Don Touhig and AMs Irene James and Jocelyn Davies - in the campaign.

"This superb building exemplifies the strong social and cultural background of the South Wales mining communities and it would be a tragedy if it were lost," he said.

* The number to telephone is 09011 332222. You can vote on the day of the programme, July 20, and until midnight the day after.