HOPES that Gwent rock band the Manic Street Preachers may support the bid to restore Newbridge Memorial Hall were raised after a visit by the band's James Dean Bradfield.

The singer dropped into The Memo last week for an interview with a US production company making a film about the band.

Howard Stone, chairman of the Friends of Newbridge Memo, whi-ch is trying to raise £3m to restore the building, said James spent about three hours at the hall. "They were filming in the bar and ballroom and I had a chat with him afterwards," he said. "He was a very nice fellow - he used to work here behind the bar during the 1980s.

"He said 'I hope that I will be able to be of use to you - I love this place'. "The Stereophonics have given strong support to their Cwmaman Institute, and have their discs on display there. It would be nice if we had something similar.

"We were very pleased that he chose the Memo as the place to be interviewed." Mr Stone's grandchildren, James and Jonathan Hook, aged 13 and nine, met James during the visit.