Tenants of Dyfatty Flats are happy with the buildings.

Dyfatty Flats were first on a wish list of buildings the Welsh public would most like to see torn down.

But residents and the council have leapt to the flats' defence, saying they are convenient, offer great views and are near good schools.

Newport's new Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre was second in the poll and Llanelli's Entertainment Centre third.

Five hundred people in Neath Port Talbot, Llanelli, Newport, Cardiff and Swansea were interviewed for the poll.

Almost half felt that Dyfatty Flats should be demolished and replaced with a more visibly appealing building.

Ugliest top 10: Dyfatty Flats, Swansea The Riverfront, Newport Entertainment Centre, Llanelli Bus Station, Cardiff Civic Centre, Neath Plaza Cinema, Port Talbot Bus Station, Newport Magistrates Court, Llanelli Transworld Centre, Llanelli Leisure Centre, Swansea

But some of the block's 380 residents told BBC Wales news website that they were more than happy with their homes.

"I've been here 16 years and would never want to move," said one.

"The lifts sometimes break down but I love the view."

Another said: "You would pay a lot of money to be so close to the city centre in many places. Good flats can cost more than �100,000.

"My friend says the school is excellent and very close."

Swansea Council says it has no intention of demolishing the flats and has just installed new lifts and digital CCTV equipment.

A spokesman said he was sure tenants would not agree with the survey results.

"We have not experienced any problems in letting our properties within Dyfatty," she said.

Work began on the Riverfront Centre in May 2002

Runner-up in the poll, Newport's Riverfront Centre is the most modern building in the list with work only starting on the site two years ago.

The remains of a medieval ship, found during excavations, will eventually be displayed at the centre which includes a theatre, recording and dance studios, workshop spaces, art gallery and a cafe/bar.

At least one of the buildings on the list - Swansea Leisure Centre - will be demolished. It closed to the public in November because it was in such a bad state of repair.

Mike Cuddy, managing director of The Cuddy Group which organised the survey, said: "As this research was really meant as a bit of fun, we were surprised to see how passionate people in Wales actually are about their built environment.