An MP has pleaded for Brighton and Hove Council to be given extra time to beat a possible £1 million bed-blocking fine.

Kemp Town MP Des Turner said the council was working hard to tackle the problem of elderly people taking-up hospital beds after they are fit to be discharged.

But he said the authority was faced with problems which were beyond its control - such as a shortage of trained care workers in the homes which would be asked to take the elderly patients.

The Labour MP asked for "clemency" while the council tried to address the issues. This would mean delaying the introduction of the fines due to start in the spring.

Dr Turner spoke out as MPs passed the controversial Community Care Bill which leaves councils facing fines of up to £120 for each night an elderly patient spends in hospital "unnecessarily".

Brighton and Hove has estimated it will face fines of £1 million a year while East Sussex County Council puts the figure at £2.5 million a year under current figures for delayed discharges.

West Sussex County Council has yet to calculate how badly it would be hit but the figure is certain to exceed £1 million as it is responsible for a greater number of elderly people than Brighton and Hove.

Dr Turner told the Commons he wanted to make a plea "for clemency for local authorities such as mine, which has been doing its damnedest to do exactly what the Government has asked.

"It faces problems and circumstances totally beyond its control, such as shortages of nurses and elderly mentally infirm beds as well as trained care workers to provide domiciliary care services."

He added: "The authorities need more time and it would be folly and very sad if the £100 million the Government is giving to extend care capacity for this purpose were simply taken back in fines."

Health Secretary Alan Milburn remained defiant on the fines.

He said: "In too many cases, patients are delayed in hospital because social services departments are not fulfilling their responsibilities."

The Bill completed its Third Reading and will now be considered by the House of Lords.