FOR more than three decades one of Swindon's most prominent buildings has been left to fall further and further into decay and dereliction.

Long gone are the days when the Mechanics' Institute, opened in 1854, was one of the most important hubs of the town's social scene, hosting dances and shows.

In the years since it closed in 1986 it has lost its roof, been damaged by fires and vandalism and become the target of urban explorers.

Successive proposals by developers to find another use for it have fallen by the wayside.

Last summer the borough council heard it was likely to cost in the region of £30m to bring it back into some sort of use.

Now the authority has said it is making £10,000 of urgent repairs after failing to reach the owner.

Historic England has provided a grant to cover the costs of roof patching, gutter clearing and removing weeks from the brickwork.