WORK to revamp a crumbling iconic police box on Chepstow Road in Newport is gathering pace.

A community group is preparing a grant application for Cadw for the Somerton structure, known as the Tardis, while one councillors says he hopes one of BBC's Dr Whos will pay a visit.

The former police phone box has stood on the estate for decades - but concrete cancer has forced the city council to fence it off.

Cllr John Guy said community group RASCAL is making a grant application to Cadw to save the Grade 2 listed building.

The Alway councillor said it would be a great boost if one the BBCs Drs visited the site - and said it would give a publicity boost to campaign.

Meanwhile a firm company with experience in refurbishing similar types of structures - including a police box at the Derby Tram Museum - has given an estimate to how much the work to save the Tardis might cost.

Mr Guy said because the concrete structure of the box is breaking up the work could cost £20,000.

They are looking for estimates from other firms as well.

Police boxes were previously used by beat officers for communication, and were immortalised by Doctor Who's time travelling tardis.

With the advent of personal radios in the 1970s most were demolished, leaving the 1930s Somerton box the last in Newport.

But concrete cancer is causing concrete in the much-loved structure to crack.

It is hoped the damage can be reversed, with the box refurbished as a city tourist attraction.