A council has dismissed claims it has "jumped the gun" by announcing it had saved a former hospital for community use.

NHS Property Services, which is seeking to sell the Lambert Memorial Hospital, in Sowerby, Thirsk, said a final decision on which offer it will accept for the property was yet to be made.

The private company, which is a landlord and service provider for NHS customers, issued the statement a day after Hambleton District Council said it had been given the go ahead to buy the former hospital for £350,000 almost three years after it closed its doors to patients.

NHS Property Services is believed to have examined another proposal to create an independent veterinary hospital at the site.

A spokesman for NHS Property Services, which rejected a previous offer for the former hospital from the council, said there were "ongoing commercial discussions" over the site.

He said: “No decision has yet been taken on whether to accept the improved offer from the council.”

It is understood NHS Property Services has asked the council to provide confirmation the deal had been approved by members.

Councillor Mark Robson, the council's leader, said: "We have received assurances that our bid is acceptable and we will await final confirmation from the board of NHS Property Services."