A further £600,000 is set to be spent on Blackwood Miners’ Institute, taking the total spend on the iconic venue to over £1.3 million.

Caerphilly council has set aside the additional spend in its budget for 2012/13, with the money set to go on a small extension to provide better changing facilities for artists, renovations of the public toilets and a new energy-efficient boiler system.

This additional cash follows the announcement last year of a three-year programme of work on the grade two-listed building costing £750,000.

The first phase of this finished in January after work was undertaken to clean and re-point the worn front façade, making the stone shine once again.

Weatherproofing of the building was also undertaken, with the old roofs replaced, improvements made to the reception area and main auditorium.

When the work got underway, then cabinet member for education, leisure and lifelong learning Phil Bevan and manager Sharon Casey called the facility a "beacon" for live music, arts and theatre in the local authority area.

The funding was awarded following a year-long campaign led by town councillor Andrew Farina-Childs.

Blackwood Town Council is based at the venue and Cllr Farina-Childs feared for its future as he continued to witness its deterioration.

It was built in 1925 using cash from Oakdale Colliery workers and is used today by many clubs and organisations, as well as hosting a historic homecoming concert by the Manic Street Preachers last year and the town’s annual pantomime.

Current cabinet member for regeneration, planning and sustainable development Ken James called the ‘Stute a "key asset" of the area.

He said: "The building not only provides first class entertainment to our county borough, but is also an important venue for learning classes and educational support for children and young people. The allowance of additional funds for the programme of repair will ultimately result in a venue of the highest quality to match the first class activities that take place there."