MEMBERS of the charity which supports the Mechanics' Institute building are delighted the council will carry out a feasibility study on its future.

The Mechanics' Institute Preservation Trust has campaigned to save the historic building for the last five years.

And members say the help of the council in deciding and protecting the future of the building is very welcome.

I'm very glad that the council has made the decision to carry out this study. The news is very welcome, said the spokeswoman for the trust, Martha Parry.

Swindon Borough Council leader Coun Sue Bates, announced on Tuesday that she wanted to see a thorough feasibility study on the future of the building.

She said: The Mechanics' Institute Preservation Trust has done sterling work on bringing everybody's attention to the building's decline. I now believe Swindon council should take the lead in the next stage as we discuss what the options are for restoring this important part of Swindon's history and placing it at the very centre of our future.

English Heritage is also supporting the study on the grade two star building by giving £10,000 towards funding for the study.

Swindon Borough Council has not yet revealed how much its contribution will be towards the project.

The grade two star building has been placed on English Heritage's Buildings at Risk Register, under category A.