A GALA concert featuring a host of special guests was held at the Newbridge Memo on Saturday night to officially open the building’s renovated auditorium.

The black tie event also marked 90 years since the Memorial Hall’s first ever opening back in 1925, and all tickets had been sold out in advance.

Manic Street Preachers frontman and former Memo barman James Dean Bradfield was among the star performers on the night, which was hosted by Roy Noble and also featured singer Wynne Evans.

Bradfield performed versions of two of the Manics’ best loved songs – ‘A Design for Life’ and ‘If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next’ - before thanking the Memo for giving him a job all those years ago.

Restoration work at the Newbridge Memorial Hall, affectionately known as the Memo, followed years of campaigning by locals to raise the funds, backed along the way by the Argus.

The new-and-improved building itself was officially opened by Prince Charles during a Royal visit back in December.

The Newbridge Memo is a set of grade II-listed buildings, located just off the town’s high street. It was originally built to commemorate the people who died during the First World War and was a hub for local miners throughout most of the 20th century.

When threatened with permanent closure more than 10 years ago, Howard Stone and other local volunteers stepped in to begin the long process of retaining what was left of the building, and to get it back on its feet once again.

Mr Stone was unable to attend the concert on Saturday night due to illness but told the Argus ahead of the event: “It’s wonderful to have such a great line-up to open it.”

Applause, initiated by Bradfield, was given by the audience at a packed auditorium in recognition of the work done by the absent Mr Stone.

The Memo’s ballroom opened its doors from 6pm on Saturday ahead of the opening of the impressive auditorium at 7pm, before the concert began at 7.30pm.