A nursing home has had its registration cancelled amid fears for the safety of the elderly people living there.

The move follows a number of protection alerts issued by agencies monitoring Sunningdale Nursing Home in Hove last week.

Action was taken by Brighton and Hove City Council, the National Care Standards Commission and South Downs NHS Trust.

It was decided leaving the 12 residents at the home in Eaton Gardens would place them at unacceptable risk.

An emergency application was made by the NCSC to Brighton and Hove magistrates last week to cancel Sunningdale's registration as a recognised care home. The residents were moved to Birchgrove Nursing Home in Brighton on Friday.

Denise D'Souza, the council's director of community care, immediately informed members of the adult social care and health committee.

She said: "On Friday, the 12 residents were moved to Birchgrove.

"Staff from the local authority and South Downs Health worked into the evening to ensure the residents were settled into the home and continued to provide support over the weekend."

The Argus revealed two years ago that Janek Masrani, the former owner of Sunningdale, wanted to turn it into a hostel for the homeless.

He said the application for a change of use was a precaution in case he could not meet new minimum care standards which have since been introduced to cover residential care homes.

The home was inspected twice by the NCSC last year and standards were found to have improved after a new manager was appointed.

Mr Masrani denied any residents had been moved because of fears for their safety.

He said: "That is not the case. Sunningdale has been sold to a new proprietor and will be completely refurbished.

"It will re-open as a care home in four to six weeks and my association with it will definitely end then."

A spokesman for the NCSC said: "There were some adult protection allegations concerned.

"We have asked the police to investigate those allegations but I cannot comment further on those at this stage."

Coun Gerry Keilty, chairman of the adult social care services committee said: "All the residents appear to be happy and comfortable after their move. They have been settled in by staff from the home and the local authority who are working closely with the families involved."