A 40-YEAR-OLD Gwent hall built and run by volunteers is saved after more helpers came forward to keep it running.

West Pontnewydd Community Association Hall was facing closure due to a lack of volunteers but a huge public response to the threat saw more than 100 people attend a public meeting to recruit support and volunteers. A group of residents agreed to serve on a committee of more than 20 people and manage the hall.

Chairman Dave Boroughs said: " I am delighted that the residents of West Pontnewydd have responded so magnificently to our call for help.

"It would have been tragic if the hall was forced to close because of lack of support."

The hall, built in 1964, was once billed "the best in Wales" by TV and radio star Jimmy Saville.

Members of the community built it with their own hands and for four decades it has been the centre of the community.

Dolly Constable, 74, of Laurel Walk, who runs the kitchen at the hall, said: "We would like to thank all the community who have helped out. "I don't think people realised how serious the situation was but when they did, they were there."

The hall is home to some very active clubs, ranging from senior citizens, dance groups, kids clubs and mothers and toddlers.

It was built more than 50 years ago when residents collected funds to build their own hall to cater for the social and community needs of the families settling in the new estate being built as part of Cwmbran New Town.

Since then the association has remained an independent charitable organisation providing activities for all generations.

But recently key members of the management committee have been unable to continue, leading to a crisis which resulted in a series of meetings with the local authority officers and members to discuss the viability of continuing to operate.

Despite owning the hall and the land, and having cash in the bank, the association could not have continued without a new treasurer and other volunteers.

The committee had shrunk over the years from just 30 to around five.