TREKKING around the Locarno and former town hall building, I feel like a Victorian explorer encountering the ruins of an old civilisation deep in the rainforest.

But in fact, I am in the heart of Old Town and looking at the wreck of a Victorian building dating back to 1852, which despite being much-loved, is starting to be reclaimed by nature.

The question of what to do with the roofless fire-damaged shell, in the High Street, came to a head recently when landowner Gael Mackenzie submitted an application to Swindon Council, through site developer Steve Rosier, asking permission to demolish the listed building.

The proposal was met with a flurry of opposition, with an online petition attracting the names of more than 200 people calling on the council to work with Mr Mackenzie to find a viable use for it.

The Adver has been given exclusive access behind the white hoardings by our guide, builder Craig Hutchesson, who leads us through the jungle of fallen coping stones, shrubs, drinks cans, and other litter that surrounds the building.

At the entrance to the Old Town Hall, whose prominent tower has lost its wooden roof, are a half-broken set of stone steps which lead to a second storey.

We walk over litter and pull back the shrubs to get into another room which connects with the Locarno. On the floor is burnt wood – evidence of one of the two major fires in 2003 and 2004.

Passing through a metal door and walking carefully up some metal stairs, avoiding dangling wires, we come to the former manager’s office for the Locarno, once an entertainments venue.

Scattered around and on shelves are hand-written documents relating to the business, as well as scores of old bingo cards.

Craig said he had once found a ledger listing the acts that had played at the venue, including the Rolling Stones.

Before making our way back, we climb up a final set of steps and looked out over what used to be the dance floor – now completely open to the sky and covered with a mass of buddleia.

There are two planning applications submitted to the council – one to redevelop it and one to demolish.

Some might say it would be a shame if it were the latter...