A condemed care home could be saved from demolition - too late for its occupants.

Larchwood Resource Centre, in Waldron Avenue, Brighton, was earmarked for demolition when Brighton and Hove City Council's adult social care and health sub-committee gave the go-ahead in September.

The Sixties bungalow was to be replaced by 37 sheltered housing flats for pensioners.

A condition of the £2.3 million Government grant for the work is that it begins by April.

The council's planning committee could block the new development at its meeting next Wednesday. But the decision would be too late for the home's residents, all of whom have left.

Gladys May, 84, who has been at the home for ten years, said goodbye to the other residents at a party on Friday.

Her daughter, Carol Fowler, 56, of Church Close, Brighton, said: "Everybody gathered round to sing We'll Meet Again. It was very emotional. Everyone was smiling and making a big effort.

"It just brings home to you how much the centre means to them. It was a pity the councillors were not there to see what they have ripped apart. To boot these people out of their home is despicable."

But Ann Norman, a member of the adult social care and health sub committee, said: "It is not clear which way the decision will go. If they are not happy, they will ask for another report or just turn it down.

"The money would be lost for extra care housing if a decision is not reached fairly soon to go ahead with the plans but that does not mean the committee will be swayed.

"It has been a very emotional matter. Certainly the Conservative members were not overjoyed by the proposals to demolish Larchwood. We would have been happier if it could have been possible to redevelop it."

The 12 councillors on the planning committee will pay a visit to the site on Tuesday and meet neighbours who have objected.

But residents of the home have already been moved to other care homes.

Gladys was taken to Birchgrove Nursing Home in Stanford Avenue, Brighton, on Wednesday.

It is unlikely a decision by the council to save the home would make any difference.

Carol said: "I don't think she would be able to move back now. We have been careful not to distress her too much.

"When she left yesterday there was a line-up of all the staff to see her off. I would be absolutely delighted if Larchwood did not have to close but it needs refurbishing so they would probably still be moved anyway.

"It has always seemed a nonsense to me to tear down one facility and replace it with another."