Council bosses have warned a winter crisis could return to hospitals if social care for the elderly is not funded properly by the Government.

Bed blocking at hospitals across Sussex has been a serious problem during the summer, with some reporting unprecedented numbers of patients fit for discharge but who have nowhere suitable to go.

There are fears the problem could be exacerbated by the closure of care homes which are unable to afford to make the changes needed to meet stringent Government standards by April next year.

A national social services budget survey showed East Sussex social services was £1 million overspent in the last financial year.

Even with sweeping action, social services predict a £500,000 overspend for the 2001/02 financial year, which has led council officials to warn of a hospital crisis this winter.

The East Sussex County Council has now joined forces with local government groups to call on the Government to respond to the growing gulf between the funding available and the services needed.

At the Eastbourne District General Hospital, 67 beds are taken up by patients fit for discharge but with nowhere to go.

Hospital managers predict operations could be delayed or even cancelled because of a lack of free beds if the trend continues, particularly if there is a flu epidemic.

A shortage of care home places for the elderly in Brighton and Hove is nearing crisis point, with three private homes in the process of closure.

Susan Wallace, of the East Sussex National Care Homes Association, said vulnerable elderly people were being pushed from pillar to post by the problems.

It has led to East Sussex county councillor Keith Glazier, lead Cabinet member for social services, to call on the Government to devote more cash to elderly social care.

He said: "This winter there will be severe pressures on local social services which will continue until the funding gap is addressed."

A spokesman for the county council said its children's and families department was spending £4.7 million each year more than the Government's standard spending assessment.