A VALLEYS man says he is hoping to rescue an iconic building in Brynmawr that is said to be at risk by a heritage charity.

The Argus reported last week that SAVE Britain's Heritage featured the grade II* listed former Dunlop Semtex boiler house in its annual report of buildings potentially at risk.

Businessman Wayne Hodgins, chairman of the Brynmawr Town Partnership, is hoping he and others in the town can turn the building into a community facility.

He said he and three others have formed the Boiler House Preservation Group which is looking to purchase it from its owner, who he said were a company called EJK20 registered in the Isle of Man.

He talked about using the space in the building as a facility for young entrepreneurs to get started as well as agencies tackling social issues in the area.

Mr Hodgins said he'd like to see the first floor - covered by a striking parabolic roof - used as a performance space although he wouldn't want it compete with local theatres.

"I've had structural reports done on it, it's in a good state of repair at present but how long that can remain, who knows," he said, adding that the partnership has also tried to secure the building.

"It's an iconic building," he said.

"All other four major towns in Blaenau Gwent have had their big projects. Brynmawr is looking for its big project," he said.

Although said he didn't know how much it is worth, he believed it would be a £5 million scheme. Contact with the owners had been made by a solicitor acting for the group, he said.