A 95-year-old woman faces being moved from her nursing home before Christmas.

Agnes Betts is among 40 residents affected by the possible closure of Cooksditch Nursing and Residential Home in Faversham.

Her daughter-in-law Carol said: “My mother-in-law is blind and deaf and very frail. We are afraid this could kill her.”

An inspection of the East Street home in March resulted in the standards being rated as “poor” by the Commission for Social Care.

A subsequent inspection graded it as "adequate."

Kent County Council has decided to terminate contracts with the home.

But owner’s representative, Simon Ilsley, said the business disputed the decision and would challenge it.

KCC spokesman Mike Sherburn said arrangements for alternative placements for residents were being made to ensure they received care and nursing of the expected standard.

But Mr Ilsley said: “We disagree with their reasons and the impact it will have on the 40 residents and 50 plus members of staff, especially given the time of year.

“We have sought to address any matters raised by the KCC. A very large number of residents and their families have already stated that they do not wish to leave and we are in the process of asking KCC to put the wishes and choices of the residents first.”

•For full story, see this week’s Faversham News