RESIDENTS campaigning to breathe new life into Port Talbot's Plaza Cinema have won the backing of two political heavyweights.

Almost 100 people turned out for the first meeting of the campaigning group, held outside the derelict building at the weekend.

They want it revived and turned into a community arts centre.

Now Aberavon MP Hywel Francis and newly-elected AM David Rees, who was at the meeting, have thrown their weight behind the drive.

They said: "We congratulate the campaign on mobilising the local community in support of the preservation of the Plaza as a local arts centre.

"We believe that the approach of the campaign in wishing to work with the local council is the right way forward."

The campaign has seen around 400 members join a Facebook group — the Plaza for the people and the arts.

The group is in the process of setting up a committee, and is in talks with the council to arrange a meeting.

Neath Port Talbot Council is considering possible future uses of the former cinema as part of a wider regeneration proposals for the docks and town centre areas.

As yet it has not announced any firm proposals.

Campaigner Sean Pursey, from Maesgwyn Street in Aberavon who has created a website on the cinema, said: "Hopefully we can build a good relationship with the council and find out its vision for the Plaza."

Dr Francis and Mr Rees added: "It is our view that the Plaza should be seen as part of the wider docklands and town redevelopment so as to create a vibrant cultural, educational and leisure quarter involving the council, community groups, the college and sports organisations."