MORE than £5,000 has been raised as part of an online fundraiser which hopes to save a popular Machynlleth music venue from closure.

Y Llew Coch, in Heol Maengwyn, was listed by the Music Venue Trust earlier this year as one of the 20 venues at imminent risk of closure.

In response to the news, the popular Powys venue set up an online fundraiser to generate vital donations in order to avoid closure.

This has seen more than £5,000 raised for the venue.

Speaking to the County Times in February, venue owner Sam Hill said: "With the current situation times are very uncertain and we are doing everything we can to keep our great venue and home going. When we can open again, we want to be here for you.

"So many venues are being lost and we don't want to be another statistic. We have been unable to trade for the last 12 months and this has left us unable to cover some of the costs of keeping the venue going.

"We have bills to pay but as well as that we have to replace some of the sound system and the outside stage covering.

"We have a growing reputation as a leading live music venue. People travel from all over for our gigs, major bands are now adding us to the tour planning.

"We are more than this, we are a major part of the local community. A place to meet, eat, relax and enjoy each other's company. Please help cover these outgoings now and allow us to serve our community and the wider music community for many years to come.”

Y Llew Coch was deemed to be at "critical risk", citing the impact of the coronavirus lockdown as a key reason for its struggles.

The online fundraiser was live for 81 days, and was supported by 46 people who helped to raised £5,380 between them.