Moreton Centre residents have vowed to fight on

Families had wanted to appeal against a review of reasons for the closure of the Moreton Care Centre - but Lord Justice Simon Brown said he found the review "entirely convincing".

East Sussex County Council wants to use the centre to tackle "bed-blocking", which occurs when people have no need for further hospital treatment care but are not well enough to go home.

The authority has received a Government grant of �1m for the controversial redevelopment of the centre, formerly used as a day and residential respite care centre for older people.

The county council has said that alternative accommodation would be found for former users in the independent sector.

Residents "want to stay"

During months of protests, residents have insisted that the centre, which they see as "a home from home", should stay open and that they value the familiar surroundings, the attentive staff and the quality of care they receive.

Now campaigners say they intend to take the issue to the European Court of Human Rights.

The centre would be used to ease bed-blocking, under council plans

Cabinet member for social services and health, Cllr Keith Glazier, said the county council understood that this was "a distressing time for all users of the Moreton Centre".

But he said: "This decision again confirms that the council acted correctly in informing residents of its plans and how they would be accommodated.

"The County Council can guarantee that if the plans go ahead, all clients who currently receive respite care at Moreton will continue to do so locally, although this will be provided by the Independent sector at a different location.