ENGLISH Heritage has welcomed the news the crumbling Mechanics' Institute has finally been sold.

And as mark of their intent to see it saved from further dilapidation the organisation has opened dialogue with the new owners of the 149-year-old grade II* listed building, Forefront Estates, about financing emergency repairs.

Before the building's sale was announced English Heritage had agreed to underwrite a large proportion of the cost of securing the institute from further decay with Swindon Council financing the remainder.

Exactly what part the two parties will now play in the historic institute's upkeep given its recent sale remains to be seen, but for the first time in decades all sides appear to be coming together.

Chris Smith, English Heritage's assistant regional director, said: "We're aware of the change of ownership and that the new owners have a positive attitude to the future of the Institute.

"We have been in consultation with the new owners in regard to initial emergency repairs, but as yet have not discussed the nature of their long-term plans. We look forward to working with them to secure the future of this building."

Last week the Evening Advertiser revealed that Forefront Estates, fronted by London businessman and former Swin-don resident Mathew Singh, had finally purchased the building for an undisclosed sum.

Mr Singh, 39, Forefront Estates' company secretary, said: "What is needed is a fresh approach to the building and we look forward to working with English Heritage and all other interested parties. I've been in constant contact with the council and it amazes me that people haven't come together on the Mechanics' before now.

"I've tried to get some momentum going on this and appeal to the people of Swindon to come forward with their suggestions as to what they would like the future use of the building to be."

The Mechanics' Institute Committee sold shares to raise funds to build the £3,000 Institute in 1854, which featured a library, spectacular marble staircase and grand reading room.

The library eventually closed in 1960 after 117-years because of a fall in workforce and income.

In 1985 Thamesdown Borough Council was offered the building by the then owners, British Rail engineering. When the town's railway works closed in 1986 the Mechanics' was sold to a private developer and a community-backed campaign against plans to turn it into a nightclub lead to its re-sale.

Since their formation in 1995 the New Mechanics' Preserva-tion Trust, lead by campaigner Martha Parry, has petitioned for the building to go back to the community.