The future of two council-run residential care homes in East Sussex hangs in the balance.

Parker House in Eastbourne and Haldane House in Bexhill may have to close because it will cost too much for them to meet new Government standards.

A report to East Sussex County Council's Cabinet revealed that Parker House, in Redoubt Road, had continuously failed to meet stringent standards.

A spokesman for the council, which runs both establishments, said: "It has been one of those homes that has failed to meet requirements over a number of years."

The home, which opened in 1960, has facilities for 34 residents and looks after elderly people, including some with mental health problems and learning disabilities.

Haldane House, in Cooden Drive, is divided into three residential units and can accommodate 27 residents. Its services include chiropody, dentistry and hairdressing.

The consultation process is expected to last until the end of the year with a six-month period devoted to talking to staff, residents and their relatives.

The cost of the report and consultation will be discussed at a meeting of the Cabinet tomorrow.

Councillor David Rogers said: "What we have done is to look at every possible way of keeping these homes going.

"Central government is imposing these new standards for care homes but there just isn't any money to make these sort of changes. In fact the Government is forcing us to close them."

If the homes are closed, residents will be asked where they want to go.

It is believed most will move into independent care homes.

The council spokesman continued: "We will give residents the opportunity to visit other homes and we will consult closely with them and relatives if they are acting on behalf of them."

The council says it will help the 61 members of staff who work at the two homes to find similar jobs elsewhere or consider early retirement and voluntary redundancy.

The consultation comes amid fears that bed-blocking - where elderly people cannot leave hospital because there is nowhere for them to go - may force at least one hospital to "grind to a halt".

Janine Bell, communications manager at Eastbourne District General Hospital, said: "We have, on average, about 70 blocked beds, which is the equivalent to two wards.

"The hospital is effectively grinding to a halt because we cannot carry out routine operations.

"It is very stressful to the patients who want to leave but can't because there is simply nowhere else for them to go.

"It is mostly elderly people. The number of beds in care homes is an issue. We cannot discharge people if there isn't anywhere appropriate for them to go."

Staff at Parker House and Haldane House declined to comment.