A HOSPITAL sports and social club is being forced to play the waiting game to find out if it has a future.

High Royds Sports and Social Club hopes to negotiate with developers when the land is sold off - but cannot start talks until the buyer is found this summer.

Club secretary Tom Booth said members of the 550-strong club were finding the wait frustrating.

"Everything is standing still."The hospital authorities are looking through the bids and we are waiting until they have chosen one for the contract.

"It's very frustrating," he added.

Members also secured the support of four MPs in their bid to keep the club open.

The club was originally set up for staff working at the psychiatric hospital, but now has members from Menston, Aireborough, Otley and further afield.

Some of the sports teams date back to the early 1900s.

The club hopes it will be able to negotiate for a piece of land on the site, to develop new sports and social activities.

Agent Weatherall, Green and Smith, which is handling the sale of the High Royds site on behalf of the NHS, has drawn up a shortlist of bidders.

The company expects to have selected the eventual buyer by summer.

The issue of the historic club's future was recognised in marketing material for the High Royds site, but the final decision will rest with the eventual buyer.