A decision on the future of an East Sussex care home and day-care centre has been put on hold.

Staff and residents at Gilda Crescent Resource Centre in Polegate were due to hear their fate at the East Sussex County Council Cabinet committee next Wednesday.

But yesterday the council announced a decision would not be made until at least next March while talks continue between the council and Primary Care NHS Trust.

Councillor Keith Glazier, Cabinet member for social services at the county council, said: "The recommendation to delay may be of concern for some people but we feel it is important to plan properly to provide the best services possible at Gilda Crescent and to make the best use of available resources.

"We will strive hard together with our health partners to achieve this."

Council leaders have reassured long-term residents they would be able to stay at the home after assessment but most respite care services would be handed over to the private sector.

The home looks likely to be turned into two rehabilitation centres, for the elderly and for young, severely disabled adults who need nursing support.

Another unit would run the Living At Home programme, which helps older people remain in or return to their own homes if they have been in hospital.

Day care services would continue.

Gilda Crescent was placed under review after an inspection of the county council's social services department in 2001.

Inspectors found the services offered by the council were too traditional and expensive to run.