A group dedicated to supporting Royston Hospital has decided to widen its fundraising objectives.

The Friends of Royston Hospital held an extraordinary general meeting last week at which the decision was made to financially support the people of Royston and the surrounding area as well as the hospital.

The hospital closed its doors to in-patients in 2012 and looked set to be closed and replaced by a care home. However the NHS has since had a rethink, and is currently drawing up a new plan for the site so that it can remain in use as hospital clinics.

The charity, which was founded in 1972, released a statement saying: “We have accumulated a significant amount of money that we would love to spend on the hospital, but with the closure of the hospital to in-patients there is now little opportunity for such expenditure.

“The Friends have therefore decided to widen the wording of the objectives of the organisation to fulfil its original intention of supporting people.

“We are encouraging new members to join us.”