A pensioner is being forced to stay in a much-needed hospital bed because a place cannot be found in a care home.

Roy Robey, 88, was told he could be discharged from Brighton General Hospital on January 24.

But he cannot leave because a nursing home cannot be found for him.

His daughter Sandy Gardner, 50, said: "I don't think my dad should be treated like this.

"It is a 30-mile round trip to see him. When I get there, he doesn't always know where he is.

"But he never moans or complains and is so lovely.

"I don't feel we are asking for anything that he does not deserve."

Before going to hospital, Mr Robey lived in a residential home in Brighton but he has been assessed as needing a higher level of care.

His granddaughter Justine Cargill, 31, wants Mr Robey to move to Haywards Heath, where she and her mother both live.

Brighton and Hove City Council said it would pay for his nursing care in Haywards Heath but had to work within set budgets.

The family said they had found a suitable home which cost £600 per week but the council said it could not meet that figure.

Mrs Cargill said: "This is the cheapest place we have managed to find in Haywards Heath.

"They have a vacancy and have been holding it open for us.

"It is not the most expensive place but it would meet his needs. It is very close to me and my mum and a friend of mine works there.

"But Brighton and Hove City Council say that it can't pay that."

Mrs Cargill said she did not want her grandfather moved to temporary accommodation because the trauma of moving twice would be too difficult for him.

She said the family had approached dozens of charities and benevolent funds for assistance but most would not contribute towards accommodation fees.

She is now appealing for a fund or business to come forward and help.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: "This is a common problem as there is a lack of care home places locally.

"We are trying to find Mr Robey a nursing home within the council's price range, which is normally £395 a week in Haywards Heath.

"We have to set limits to this otherwise we simply cannot afford to find care for all the people who need it.

"A £600-a-week home would leave less money to care for someone else."

No one from the hospital was available for comment on the cost of Mr Robey remaining in his bed.