The miners of Garnant built it almost a hundred years ago and for decades it remained the focal point of the community.

Today it lies derelict and, in the words of the local fire authority: "The most dangerous fire hazard in Carmarthenshire".

Now county councillor Kevin Madge is calling time on the local authority to take over Garnant Workmen's Hall and restore it so that once again it can serve it's community as it did back in 1922.

"We see it in so many of the other towns around us," he said, "and I'm determined that we will see the same investment being made here in Glanaman.

"I'm calling on the council to take it over and get the private sector to develop it.  There's already planning permission for the development of the site after a company from the north of England considered establishing a care home there.  Surely there must be  a developer out there who can pick up the pieces and carry on?"

Cllr Madge went on to say that since the Workmen's Hall fell into disuse some ten years ago, its condition has deteriorated substantially.

"There are holes in the roof and every time we get a storm, the condition gets even worse.  It's been vandalised on numerous occasions to the extent that there's absolutely nothing left inside.  It's become a real danger to members of the public, and I'm concerned that it's only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt."

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the hall is surrounded by properties, both commercial and residential, on Cwmamman Road, Garnant.

"At the end of the day, if there's a political will, then there's a way," concluded Cllr Madge. 

"The Amman Valley deserves to see an investment being made by the local authority and I've been working towards this end for the past ten years.  This is the biggest eye-sore that I've got left to deal with, and I'm determined to see it developed for the benefit of the whole community."