A self-styled lord has backed a crusade fighting the closure of a seaside care home in East Sussex.

Lord Brett McClean of Hastings says council bosses made a serious mistake in sanctioning the closure of the New Moreton Centre.

The home, in Boscobel Road, St Leonards, is being turned into a rehabilitation centre to ease hospital bed-blocking, using £1 million in government cash.

Lord Brett, who paid £4,250 for his title, says his father attends the centre every week and loves the interaction with staff and residents.

Lord Brett, of Seaside Road, St Leonards, said: "I have never done this before and I will never do this again.

"But I am begging East Sussex County Council on behalf of myself, my father, the other 108 day centre users and the eight residential clients and their families.

"I ask you to leave this centre operational for the benefit of those it is intended for. Do not be half-hearted and cold-hearted when deciding the future of so many lives."

Relatives of pensioners facing eviction met again yesterday to discuss ways to fight the closure.

One of them has sought a High Court injunction to stop the county council moving the residents.

They hope to gather hundreds of signatures on a petition to present to county council officials at Pelham House, Lewes.