Two residential care homes for elderly people have been given a six-month reprieve while their futures are decided.

East Sussex county councillors agreed the consultation period should go ahead and will look at whether or not to keep open Parker House in Redoubt Road, Eastbourne, and Haldane House in Cooden Drive, Bexhill.

The homes face closure because they will not meet new Government standards on care homes and would cost thousands of pounds to upgrade.

Eastbourne councillor Beryl Healy said: "We must handle the matter sensitively. I have fought long and hard to retain Parker House but the writing is on the wall because of the new standards. The present standards are not up to scratch."

She thought the house should be kept as a community resource for people in the Devonshire ward.

Ron Dyason, a councillor for Bexhill, said : "The only concern I have over the next six months is that this will hang over the heads of some of the elderly people."

Parker House has facilities for 34 residents, some suffering from mental health problems and learning disabilities.

Councillors suggested some residents might be moved to nearby home St Anthony's Court in Seaside if Parker House closes.

Haldane House can take 27 residents and the two care homes employ 61 members of staff between them.

The decision whether to close the homes is expected to be made by the county council in January.