Care homes for elderly people across the county could be closed in a moneysaving drive.

East Sussex County Council has already closed one care home as part of its review.

A senior councillor says he cannot guarantee more will not be closed as the county council assesses the efficiency of its services.

But Bill Bentley, head of adult social care at the county council, also said there could be more investment in care homes.

He added: "The review will involve looking to make savings and investments. There could be both more closures and more investment."

Firwood House and St Anthony's Court in Eastbourne could be the next to go as they come under scrutiny. Both offer short-term residential services for older people. Eastbourne borough councillor Olive Woodall is concerned that valuable services may be lost.

She said: "We can't afford to lose services. Any reduction of care for elderly people will be bad. They may not intend to close more homes but when you start reviewing things anything is possible."

The county council closed Ridgewood Rise in Highview Lane, Uckfield, last year despite complaints from residents that moving would kill them. It proposes to build a new 48-bed centre on the site as a private finance initiative. But the replacement will not include a day care centre.

The county council is looking at new sites to relocate this service.

Other replacement centres are expected to be built in Westfield, near Hastings, and Ringmer.

In 2003, 88-year-old St Leonards pensioner Clara Dudley suffered a stroke after visiting a new care home. Her daughter, Norma Dudley, blamed the stroke on the closure of the Moreton Centre, where her mother had close friends.

Provision of elderly care is particularly critical because demand will increase.

During the next two decades annual growth rates of over- 65s will quadruple.

It is also estimated more than 130,000 more people each year will require care by 2020.

But Councillor Bentley believes the review is necessary.

He said: "A number of our services were set up 40 years ago and they are all provided at the expense of the taxpayer.

"The public expects us to ensure we provide the best value for money.

"But this is also about standards and the way we see the care is provided."

"The service will be redesigned to be more efficient and to respond to the needs of people receiving the service."

Recommendations from the review will be presented to the council's cabinet in July.