HEALTH leaders have sought to reassure people that the new Wharfedale Hospital, Otley, is on track.

Although work on the new £14 million hospital - which will be built next to the present hospital on Newall Carr Road - is now two months behind schedule, the trust says it will start very shortly.

A spokesman for the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said it was still working out final details with its chosen partner, HBG Projects.

And until the contract was closed, the trust would not be able to get its business case for the new hospital approved.

"We do appreciate that people may be concerned, but we have to make sure everything is sorted out to our satisfaction before work starts.

"This is probably the biggest building project that has happened in Otley for many years and we have to make sure it is right.

"We can understand that people will be concerned, but everything is on track, it's just taken a little longer than anticipated."

A long-running campaign by councillors, MPs and residents managed to secure the future of Wharfedale Hospital in Otley.