MEMORIES of romantic evenings spent courting at Newbridge Memo are shared by many happy couples.

And for 81-year-old Ros Luxton her recollections are especially tender as she was widowed 17 years ago.

Now she says she would love to see the Memo restored to its former glory for a new generation of young people to enjoy. This could be a real possibility now that the Memo is taking part in the BBC's Restoration programme - with a prize of £3 million if it wins.

The Argus has become the official paper for the campaign. Mrs Luxton met her husband Howard at a cafe in Newbridge when she was just 18 years old - and says they spent many happy evenings together at the cinema at the Memo.

"Howard was in the Merchant Navy and we had to spend a lot of time apart in those days," she said.

"But when he did come home we would always go to the Memo with lots of other couples and see films there. It was where we did our courting." Mrs Luxton was born in a house opposite the Memo on the High Street and says it was also a big part of her childhood.

"My grandfather was a librarian at the Institute and I would often go over there - and watch the men playing billiards as well," she adds.

She later moved to Chapel of Ease with her husband after their marriage in 1944, and they had two children.

But now she lives close to the Memo once again and is eager to see it restored during her lifetime.

"It would be really lovely if I could see it all finished," she said. "The open day they had on Saturday was wonderful - 1,000 people went in to see the cinema.

"I went up to see it myself and it brought back lots of happy memories. Saturday's event, organised by the Friends of Newbridge Memo, raised almost £3,000 towards the restoration fund.