More than 20 bidders are in the running to buy the defunct Sands End Community Centre from Hammersmith and Fulham Council, the Chronicle can reveal.

Among them is the Sands End Community Association, a panel of local people who, in conjunction with businessman John Goddard, want to bring the centre back to life.

Their bid, which involves the rear of the building being revitalised into a community hub with the rest of it turned into flats, was handed in two months ago but they are still no nearer to discovering if they have been successful, despite promises from the council to have the situation resolved by mid-August.

Other bids are from property developers, with one understood to have come from a housing association.

SECA are desperate to be put of their misery. They know their bid is not the highest but firmly believe its value to the community outstrips the greater financial windfall of other offers and is urging the authority to make its decision.

The groups's Ann Rosenberg said the amount of bids has taken her by surprise. "I knew there was a considerable number, but not quite that many," she said. "It is becoming a very anxious wait and seems extraordinary that we haven't heard anything. It would be better for everyone if we were told."

The council says it wants to hear more from the interested parties before making its decision, which has given some encouragement to SECA, which says it would provide cookery and pottery services, build a cafe and more at the new centre.

"It is good that the council is studying more closely in terms of their value for money because we feel in terms of adding community value our bid would outstrip any of the others."

Councillor Nick Botterill, deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, said: "The council has received over 20 bids for the Sands End Community Centre. We are still analysing all of these proposals and will shortly request more information from those that offer our taxpayers the best deal possible."