Dozens of frail pensioners will be homeless and more than 40 jobs will be lost if plans to demolish a rest home go ahead.

Residents and staff at the French Convalescent Home in Kemp Town, Brighton, only found out about the proposals when a notice was pinned to a lamp post outside the building.

The imposing chateau-style home, built in 1898, received a glowing report from Social Services only last year.

But owner Bovis is determined to knock it down and replace it with a six-storey block of 67 sheltered flats.

The elderly residents and staff who care for them are refusing to retreat in the face of the proposed closure and have launched a campaign to save the home.

Manager Catherine Gennaro, who found out about the planning application from the public notice attached to a lamp post outside, said: "No one had informed us that this was going to happen.

"I spoke to the chairman of the trustees in September and he said the home would continue as it is for the next two years.

"I couldn't believe it when I saw the notice. I really would worry about the future of both staff and residents if this building is demolished."

Mrs Gennaro is hoping to push through a bid for the

building to be listed with English Heritage before it is too late.

She said: "I had always assumed the building would be listed anyway.

"It is a beautiful, grand, imposing building. I just hope we can get an eleventh hour listing for it and then they won't be allowed to destroy it."

A spokesman for Bovis said: "The existing building isn't

suitable for conversion to this sort of use. It has split levels and staircases which make it unsuitable for people with wheelchairs.

"We're hoping to build some

thing new which will really meet the needs of older people. We think our flats could provide a better service for Brighton's elderly."

A report commissioned by Bovis says the home is "becoming increasingly redundant," arguing that it has "narrow doorways, corridors and staircases"

But Mrs Gennaro says that is not the case. She said "These charges of poor access are complete and utter rubbish. We have put in wide doorways and the corridors are wider than the average nursing home."

The pro-demolition report stresses that any new development will have a lift "able to comfortably carry a wheelchair plus an attendant." But Mrs Gennaro points out that the home already has two lifts, both suitable for wheelchairs and one big enough to fit in a stretcher.

The home received a glowing report from social services earlier this year. Inspectors praised the "high standard" of food, the "high level of personal care" given by the staff and the "welcoming, warm atmosphere."

Mrs Gennaro said: "If this place was dilapidated, if it wasn't well maintained, or if it wasn't fulfilling a very important function, you could understand them wanting to knock it down. But it's none of those things.

"Most patients here are funded by the State. We don't make a vast profit but we have managed to stay afloat when a lot of other nursing homes have gone under. And this sheltered housing will not be cheap."

She added: "So often people forget the feelings of the residents. They forget these people are individuals. They want to stay here."

Ivy Hughes, 91, could not contain her tears at the thought of losing her home. She said: "It's a very nice place here. We're well looked after. It's a rotten thing, what's going to happen. I don't want to leave."

Frederick Winn, also 91, was furious. He said: "I've been to three or four of these places and this is the best of the lot. The carers here are wonderful people, kind people.

"People here are lame, partially blind and sick. This is their home. The people who want to destroy that need to get down on their hands and knees and pray to God to be forgiven."

Brighton MP Des Turner, who has been fighting to save the home, said: " "It's very sad that it has finally come to this. We did everything we could but I rather fear the battle is over."

Frederick Winn does not agree. He said: "I might be 91 but you've got to keep fighting. It's our building, and I won't let them step in and take it from us."

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