The path has been cleared for the controversial sale of one of Brighton and Hove's biggest care homes.

Dresden House, valued at £7 million, is likely to be put back on the market after the Charities Commission ruled its sale is legal.

The property in Medina Villas, Hove, was on the market earlier this month but the commission called a halt to the sale after supporters successfully lobbied for an investigation into the motives behind the move.

However, the commission has ruled that the trustees who run Dresden House are acting perfectly within their rights.

A spokesman said: "The commission is satisfied with the case made by the trustees for the sale of the homes and has now drafted a document that will grant the charity the power of sale."

The decision is a body blow to the home's former residents and their relatives who believed it was being closed unnecessarily. Takeover plan They argued against the case made for closure by the trustees who said the home was no longer financially viable.

On Tuesday, supporters were formulating a plan to take over the running of the home with a new board of trustees.

But the Commission's decision, announced in a short statement to The Argus, seems to end all hope of the home being saved.

The commission said: "The trustees have made the decision to close Dresden House.

"In order to consider whether we would grant a power of sale, we clarified with the trustees why they felt the homes were no longer able to continue and how they arrived at that decision.

"This document will be published by the trustees and people will be able to make representations to us about it."

Nick Steadman, whose aunt Alice Pink, 93, was the final resident to move out of the home last week pointed out there would still be a delay in the sale. A statutory one month ban has been placed on the sale by the commission.

Supporters will also have the chance to comment on the sale scheme.

Mr Steadman said: "We still think this is a foolish move and want to know the reasons why they have been allowed to sell rather than the fact they are being allowed to sell.

"There are still a lot of unanswered questions."