Alice Pink wipes away a tear as she contemplates a future with no home.

The 93-year-old is one of 33 elderly women who have been told the home where they had planned to spend the rest of their lives is being sold from beneath them.

They have just 11 weeks to quit Dresden House in Medina Villas, Hove, and many have no idea where they are going to live.

Even those who have found alternative accommodation face a future of isolation, separated from the friends with whom they have shared retirement for several years.

Alice said: "It was an absolute bombshell when they told us. They gave us no notice whatsoever and I just don't know what my future is now. Most of the women living at the home do not have long left and want to live out their last days independently and with dignity. This is a massive blow to us all."

The £478-a-week care home, valued at around £7 million, made a loss in 2004 and managers say they cannot afford the refurbishments needed to keep it open.

But families of the pensioners last night condemned the decision by the charitable trust to evict the close-knit group.

Nick Steadman, Alice's nephew, said: "These are extremely vulnerable people and I think the upset and the worry could well kill some. Most of the old people said, This is my house, I've nowhere else to go'.

"Many of them told me they felt like going to their rooms and crying.

"We all know if this goes ahead a lot of these old people will die. Unless a miracle solution is found we are going to have a lot of heartache on our hands."

The decision to close the home is thought to have been taken in October, yet the women were only given notice to quit on Wednesday.

Relatives have vowed to lobby the Government on their behalf.

Mr Steadman said: "They are supposed to be a charity but they are not being very charitable. To my mind it is about the money.

"But the main question is: Who is this trust answerable to?"

The Dresden House Trust, a registered charity, has been wanting to move to Hangleton after losses in 2004.

But the proposal fell through and in May 2004 half the home, in Albany Villas, was closed down.

Most of the residents left and the remaining 33 moved into the adjoining half in Medina Villas.

Managers increasingly saw the care home, which has been open for 96 years, as unviable.

Nigel D'Auvergne, whose mother is in Dresden House, said: "There's no will to keep it open any more so it means all these old ladies are going to be thrown out.

"All of them are very happy and to move at this time of life is unbelievable."

The Charity Commission last night said proceeds from the sale of Dresden House would have to be put towards other charitable purposes.

A spokesman said: "The property is what we call permanent endowment, which means money from the sale would have to go towards another charity's work, most likely in this situation towards further work of the Dresden House Trust.

"It is quite likely it will continue in some form."

The women have been offered £50 a week towards their future care costs.

Trustees said the increasing costs of maintaining the buildings and meeting environmental standards meant the charity needed to reduce its outgoings and look at other avenues to continue its charitable work.

Helen Fairfax, chairman of the board of trustees, said: "It has been difficult, especially knowing the upheaval that will be caused to our residents and loyal staff.

"Every assistance will be given to help both residents and employees. Senior members of staff will be working closely with each of the residents to help find them suitable placements."

Around 30 staff face losing their jobs.