The closure of a care home which made 33 elderly women homeless is expected to yield up to £8 million.

The Argus revealed a month ago that residents of Dresden House in Medina Villas, Hove, were told managers could not afford the refurbishments needed to keep it open.

Although the decision to close is thought to have been taken in October, the women were given just 11 weeks to leave in January.

Oakley Properties is now accepting sealed bids for the entire property. The agent has not announced a guide price but believes it will sell for between £5 million and £8 million.

In the meantime, residents left at the home are having to find new places to live, often outside the county.

Just 12 of the women are still at the home today.

Relatives believe some may not even survive a traumatic move.

Nick Steadman, whose elderly aunt is one of the last tenants, said: "You cant assume any of them have gone willingly - a lot of them expected to die there.

"There is also the physical and mental impact of leaving. I have had relatives of ladies in there telling me they are watching their mothers and aunts deteriorating before their eyes.

"I can guarantee that a couple will be dead within a couple of weeks of going to a new place."

Dresden House, a care home for 96 years, made a loss in 2004. Trustees are planning to close it at the end of March because they say the home does not meet care standards - a fact disputed by the Commission for Social Care Inspection.

It could be turned into flats, a hotel or a training college, or even be kept as a care home, according to Oakley.

Mr Steadman said: "Although every year in their annual accounts they said the estimated value of the building was £7 million it has never been formally evaluated."

Trustees of the home are promising £50 per week for the residents forced to leave, to help with the cost of rehousing.

However, Mr Steadman said many, who are facing moves to as far as Woking and Cheltenham, are also having to accept price hikes of an extra £200 a week.

Campaigners have sought legal advice and believe they cannot challenge the sale in the courts but they still hope to save the home.

Mr Steadman said: "The only thing weve given up on is legal action. We have absolutely not given up on saving the premises on administrative grounds."

Dresden Homes Trust was unavailable for comment