A care home could be closed by independent inspectors if changes are not made, a leading Labour councillor said today.

Brighton and Hove City Council is consulting people about the future of residential care at Knoll House in Ingram Crescent, Hove.

It said up to £2 million is needed to adapt rooms so they meet new Government standards.

It is looking at alternatives such as providing the service elsewhere or getting other people to run it.

Cabinet social care councillor Jean Spray said: "We are proud of the excellent day centre and home care services based at Knoll House and no changes are being proposed to them.

"The consultation is about the future of the residential care. Inspectors have said six of the residential care rooms are inadequate and 17 of the 22 residential care beds don't meet new national care standards. If we don't address these, inspectors could withdraw Knoll House's registration for the six residential care rooms."

Coun Spray said the options included alterations to make the rooms meet the new standards.

Consultation will involve meetings with Knoll House residents, their relatives, carers, staff and trade unions. There is strong opposition to the changes.

Alex Knutsen of public sector union Unison said the size of the rooms was being used as a smokescreen to hide the fact the council wanted to save money.

Conservative social care spokeswoman Ann Norman said the Labour move was a cost-cutting exercise and added: "Twenty one rest homes have closed in the past year, with a loss of 174 beds across the city.

"The situation is deteriorating and we will struggle to meet the needs of this extremely vulnerable section of our community."