Celtica gave visitors an insight into how the ancient Celts lived

Councillors in Machynlleth plan to run the town's old Celtica building, known as the Plas, as a community and conference centre next year.

Proposals also include renting out part of the Grade II-listed property as office space.

Powys Council, which owns the Plas, said talks were at an advanced stage.

Machynlleth mayor Bob Dunn said the town council was "planning and hoping" to take over the running of the Plas next April.

"We have been in discussions [with Powys Council] since the beginning of the year," added Mr Dunn.

'Up and running'

"We plan to expand on the office rental and conference facilities at the Plas and turn the area which was used by Celtica into a community facility.

"We hope that the building will pay for itself once it's up and running.

"We are trying to maintain the building and grounds for Machynlleth which was subject of the original bequest in 1948."

Powys Council said negotiations with councillors in Machynlleth were "well-advanced".

The council announced the closure of Celtica in 2005 after it said it had lost �1.1m since 1998 and attracted too few visitors.

It opened Celtica in 1996 after �2.5m was spent on refurbishing the Plas building.

The attraction needed 90,000 visitors in the first year, with the figure increasing to 110,000 for it to be successful.

However, the council said it never attracted more than 34,000 visitors per year.