Work to begin on historic site

Work today began on restoring a historic Mid Wales venue once used for cockfighting.

Builders moved in to the Cockpit, off Broad Street, Welshpool, to carry out restoration work on a building which has stood empty for a number of years.

Welshpool Town Council is now set to bring the building back into use and will let it out to the Montgomeryshire Federation of Women's Institutes as its county office.

Robert Robinson, council clerk, said: "I am pleased to say work is beginning at the Cockpit.

"Names were at last put on the contract last month and now we are going to get the refurbishment work done.

"This will include floor covering, redecoration, electric work and installing toilets under the stairs.

"Funding for this refurbishment work was secured last year and £12,000 has been made available to carry out the work which will allow the WI to take it over.

"I would estimate it will take four weeks to complete all the work."

The cockpit was built as a venue for the sport – which was outlawed more than 100 years ago in the UK – and could have held more than 150 spectators.

Jane Rees, WI federation secretary, said members were looking forward to the move.