OFFICIALS at a North Yorkshire working men's club have launched an internal investigation after an auditor's report revealed unidentified cash payments of more than £15,000.

Some of the club's 2,500 members have expressed concern about the shortfall - the second time in six years that money has been reported missing from club accounts.

The Evening Press has obtained a copy of Selby Working Men's Club's financial accounts for 1999, which include "unidentified cash payments" of £15,696 under the heading "general expenses".

The audit was conducted by York chartered accountants Morrell Middleton. Referring to the club's cash transactions, their report stated: "We have not obtained all the information and explanations we consider necessary for the purpose of our audit. We were unable to determine that proper accounting records have been maintained."

Company spokesman, John Morrell, said: "I have absolutely no comment to make".

Club secretary Terry Todd said today that committee members were conducting an internal investigation.

He said: "It's an unsatisfactory situation and I am just as unhappy as anyone else.

"We have had meetings about it, and at the end of the day the accounts were accepted on a majority vote.

"Some questions were asked, and obviously some members are less than happy about the situation - but if we knew exactly where the money was, it wouldn't be missing or unidentified.

"Over £15,000 has gone and as yet we are unable to identify how it has been spent.

"It's a delicate subject and a matter of concern for me as secretary."

Speaking at his home in Flaxley Road, Selby, Mr Todd said the club had now put in place new systems and controls, including financial ones.

He said: "We have made substantial improvements, and the half-yearly accounts at the end of this month should be spot-on".

The club's vice-president, Reg Lattimore, said: "We are all concerned and are trying to find out where the money has gone."

The popular club, in Wide Street, hit the headlines in December 1994 when fraud squad officers launched an inquiry after members reported £22,000 missing from club accounts.

Former club secretary Henry Nicholson was later jailed for six months after being convicted of corruption.

Nicholson had denied taking a £3,500 bribe from the director of a company which refurbished the club, but the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.