Art and a gala are among the celebrations planned to mark the closing of a Victorian hospital.

Menston's sprawling High Royds Hospital will be closing its doors for the final time on Tuesday, February 25, before it is converted into a mini housing estate.

To mark the end of an era, Leeds Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust is urging former staff to have one last look at the site and mark the occasion by taking part in a number of events.

Staff tours of the building, which sold to London-based Raven Group for £26 million last October, will be held on February 6 and 7.

Artist-in-residence Paul Digby will be talking to former workers about their memories of the hospital and featuring them in a huge painting in the library, which will go on public display for the two weeks before closure.

Councillor Chris Greaves (Con, Rombalds) said: "The variety of events on offer are a brilliant idea and will give residents and staff the chance to see the building before it changes forever. It's a major part of the area and it will be strange to see it converted into homes.'

"I've always thought it's a tragedy that the building couldn't have been saved as a hospital. Its new use is going to have a dramatic effect on Menston, especially the increased traffic."

Opened on October 8, 1888, the building housed a ballroom, dispensary, dairies a baker's and even its own railway.

A gala evening for staff will also be held at Pennington's club, Manningham Lane, Bradford, on March 27. Residents are invited to a thanksgiving service in the chapel on February 9 where artwork by former patients will be on public display from February 3 to 7, 10.30am to 3pm Monday to Wednesday and 9am to 5pm on Thursday and Friday.

Director of Mental Health Nigel Fenny said: "The closure of High Royds Hospital marks the end of an era for the Trust. High Royds Hospital has been associated with Mental Health care in the City of Leeds for more than 100 years.

"The events to mark the closure will signify a new beginning for Mental Health Care in Leeds. The £47 million reprovision process has seen the Trust move out of old-fashioned and outdated facilities into state-of-the-art units."

Staff are urged to contact Phil Sunderland (0113) 305 6018.

A neighbourhood forum to discuss development proposals for the site is at Menston Primary School, St Peter's Way on Wednesday at 7.30pm.