COUNCIL bosses in Kirklees say they are continuing to talk to a sports charity about the prospect of a national Rugby League museum in Huddersfield despite concerns that they have “given up the ghost” on the project.

But as the authority steams ahead with plans to enlarge the town’s George Hotel – the birthplace of rugby league in 1895 – and to make it a viable prospect for the hotel sector, it has admitted that charity Rugby League Cares is looking to locate the museum else-where.

Originally Bradford City Hall was chosen as the preferred venue for the museum. But failed funding bids and lengthy delays led to this plan being scrapped.

The charity opted to go with Huddersfield’s bid when the council said it would buy the George Hotel for £1.8m and house the museum within it. The council later U-turned, say-ing the museum wasn’t compatible with a hotel business.

At a meeting of the council’s Cabinet on Tuesday Clr John Taylor (Con, Kirkburton) asked: “Are we still negotiating with Rugby League Cares or have we kind of given up the ghost on that?”

Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet member for Regeneration, said they had “an open dialogue” with the charity adding: “My understanding is that they are looking at the options they have.”