Vulnerable residents of an old people's home in East Sussex face an anxious wait to see whether it will close down.

Mr Justice Maurice Kay, after listening to a day-and-a-half of legal argument at London's High Court, reserved his judgement which will seal the fate of the Moreton Centre in St Leonards.

East Sussex County Council wants to close the home, meaning its seven residents and more than 100 old people who use it for respite and day care would have to make alternative arrangements.

"I'm conscious it's a matter that ought to receive some urgency," observed the judge, saying he would give his ruling as soon as possible.

The judicial review challenge to the council's decision in December to close the home is being spearheaded by the family of 86-year-old Clara Dudley.

Her barrister Rupert Skilbeck, who is also acting for other users of the home, said despite dealing with "frail and vulnerable" people the council had failed to properly consult them.

The fate of the old people required "anxious scrutiny" but the council had failed to properly consider how to transfer the elderly residents.

It was the residents' case that, unless the consequences of the closure are fully explained to them, the chances of them dying because of the trauma of a subsequent move were greatly increased.

Mr Skilbeck said the consultation process about the closure initially made no reference to the future of the home being under threat.

Describing the language used in letters sent to the residents as euphemistic, he said the elderly recipients found them "difficult to understand".

No mention of a possible increase in mortality rates was made at a council cabinet meeting to decide the future of the home.

Roger McCarthy, for the council, denied it had done anything wrong and reject-ed claims the Human Rights of the residents had been breached.

There could be no complaint about the council's consultation process, which canvassed both the residents and those who receive day and respite care at the home.

The council had followed its own guidelines when carrying out the consultation and talked to Age Concern about the possible impact.

It was genuinely concerned residents could die if moved but felt it had taken potential mortality rates fully into account.