Pensioners face an anxious Christmas after being told their East Sussex care home may close to cut hospital bed-blocking.

Relatives of elderly residents at the New Moreton Centre in St Leonards fear the upheaval of being moved could kill them.

They are calling on council bosses to grant a reprieve to the 18-room home, saying close bonds with staff have been formed.

Officials at East Sussex County Council insist the home is merely under consideration for closure and that no firm decision has yet been made.

They say a review is under way with staff and that the eight residents and their relatives have been invited to voice their opinions.

A decision on its future is expected to follow when the authority's cabinet meets at Pelham House, Lewes, on December 18.

The home may be turned into an NHS rehabilitation centre to ease hospital bed blocking, using £1 million in Government money.

New Moreton is used by eight long-stay residents, 11 respite care patients and more than 20 as a day centre.

Relatives are lobbying hard to preserve the home, including Norma Dudley whose 86-year-old mother, Clara, has spent seven years there.

She said: "I don't oppose the opening of a rehabilitation service but I do when it's at the expense of a successful care home like Moreton.

"My mother has a poor short-term memory and doesn't understand what's going on so we are fighting for her."

Mrs Dudley has written to East Sussex social services and Hastings and Rye Labour MP Michael Foster for support but has not received a reply from either.

She has even written to Hastings-born comedian Jo Brand in an effort to gain a higher profile for their crusade.

Another relative, Bob Hart, said: "It would not only destroy the residents but also the 20-odd people who use it as a day centre."

Following an inspection in May, watchdogs found New Moreton was being run efficiently.

Inspectors noted: "New Moreton provides a good level of care and staff take a professional and caring approach.

A spokesman for the Tory-run county council said if plans for an intermediate care centre go ahead, "all residents will be relocated locally and relationships taken account of."