Miners' baths win 'treasure' vote

Bonnie Tyler championed the pit head baths

Viewers of a BBC Wales series have chosen the pit head baths as Wales' most loved national treasure.

In a five-part series the pit head baths which are part of the Big Pit in Blaenavon won the public vote.

The baths, which were actually rows and rows of showers where miners washed after a day's work, were championed by singer Bonnie Tyler.

The hunt for national treasures is part of the National Museum Wales' centenary year celebrations.

The baths form part of the complex at the National Coal Museum in Blaenavon.

The pit head baths were well ahead of the rest of the competition in the race Siân Pari Huws

Some of the lockers retain items used by the miners including towels, soap and vaseline.

Each miner was given two lockers - one for his dry, clean clothes, and one for his working clothes.

The eclectic list of artefacts, places and buildings were whittled down to 16 from a list of 100 for the National Treasures series.

They included amongst many a love spoon, Welsh gold, coracles, meteorites, the triple harp, an Eisteddfod chair and a nursing shawl.

"The pit head baths were well ahead of the rest of the competition in the race," said series producer Siân Pari Huws.

"Coming in at second place was the coracle - as championed by Gareth Edwards," she said.

"The series has been hugely successful and we're extremely grateful to the National Museum Wales for their support in making the programme."