A CAMPAIGN to safeguard an old Swansea building has attracted support from all around the world.

The Albert Hall on Craddock Street has stood vacant since its last occupants, the Mecca Bingo Club, left more than four years ago.

The venue has served many purposes since it was built in 1864, including music hall and cinema, but its future has remained uncertain, until last week when its owners, Hertfordshire-based property company Caverwood Ltd, announced it was in negotiations with a tenant about a possible deal.

Caverwood director Martin Bandell said: "In principle we have secured a tenant and agreed terms of a lease with the tenant.

"We are hoping to sign it in the next few months. I don't want to go into more detail at the moment, but it will mean the property will be reinvigorated. It will be quite a focal point for the local area. The use will be leisure."

But as details of the potential deal are thrashed out, supporters who have called for its preservation say their campaign is being supported from as far away as Italy and New Zealand.

Campaigner Ian Howells, originally from Penclawdd but based in Madrid due to his work with airline British Airways, said he had canvassed neighbouring businesses and claimed they wanted the building to be used.

And a recently launched internet campaign had received messages of support from across the globe.

He said: "It is an incredible old building, it was an old Victorian music hall. A lot of big names want to play Swansea, but there is not a venue big enough.

"The most fantastic thing the petition has provided is some truly moving and strongly worded comments in which people who have signed the petition have taken time to show their feelings.

"What has surprised me most is that so many comments are coming, not just from Swansea people but from all over the world. It has been incredible.''

The petition of support for the Albert Hall can be found at www.change.org/petitions

nino.williams@swwmedia.co.uk