A care home owner is selling off equipment to clear debts after she was forced to close the service down.

Renaissance Care was established by Catherine Gennaro, the former manager of the French Convalescent Home, and her staff last year.

The service, based in Edward Street, Brighton, had more than a hundred elderly clients and offered support and practical help with gardening, shopping and some personal care.

However, the service was forced to close because of the inability to attract enough good quality staff.

Mrs Gennaro attempted to save the service by applying for charity status, which would have enabled her to attract extra funding, but the status was not granted in time for the service to continue.

Mrs Gennaro and her colleagues were devastated by the closure, but were unable to continue.

Now Mrs Gennaro will be selling off equipment to settle debts the business accrued.

She said: "There's bric-a-brac and clothes. I've got to sell it.

"It's very sad, but I have people to pay."

Anyone who wants to browse through the goods on offer can visit 141 Edward Street, Kemp Town, Brighton, next week after 1pm.