At least 40 people with mental health problems in Brighton, Hove and Lewes are stuck in hospital because of a shortage of residential and nursing homes.

Some of them have been there for months longer than they need to be, taking up beds which other patients need.

At the Nevill Hospital in Hove, which caters for people with mental health problems who are over the age of 65, some 22 of the 42 patients are ready for discharge.

The situation is echoed at Newhaven Downs House and elsewhere there are 19 adults under the age of 65 with mental health problems ready to be discharged from hospitals in Brighton, Hove and Lewes, but who have nowhere to go.

Although the figures have improved slightly since July, a report discussed at a meeting of South Downs Health NHS Trust called for "rigorous action...to address this high priority issue, contain expenditure and improve the quality and range of services available."

A spokeswoman for the trust said part of the problem sprung from the closure of two residential homes at the turn of the year.

She said: "Things have been very stretched and people are doing their level best to ease the situation.

"Although it would appear that it's eased a bit because of some of the measures the trust has put in place, we are working to cope with significant numbers of people.

She added: "A lot of the homes are private and each place is precious and when they go that makes it more difficult to find alternatives."