The family of a grandmother with dementia have told of their fury after she was found wandering the streets a mile from her care home in just a T-shirt and ballet shoes.

Audrey Howes, 79, disappeared from the Beacon Hill Lodge, opposite the Kings Hall, and was found walking near shops in Reculver Road, Beltinge.

A couple found her in a state of confusion and called the police, who had been alerted by the care home that she was missing.

Audrey, who also suffers from epilepsy and lung disease, was wearing only her ballet shoes and a thin T-shirt when she was found at 9.30pm on Monday last week.

She was taken in by the concerned couple before care home staff came to pick her up at about 10.30pm.

Her daughter, also called Audrey, has been left angered by the care home response. The 59-year-old said: “My mother was dazed and confused on the pavement.

"We don’t know whether she let herself out using the PIN of a staff member or if she pressed the fire alarm. Obviously she is a very intelligent lady..." - care home company director Antonia Bath

“For her to be able to walk out the door and not be noticed is appalling. She could have fallen over the cliffs into the sea or been run over in the road. She was on her own and could have been mugged or hypothermic.”

Audrey’s furious son Kevin Howes, 57, says bosses at Beacon Hill Lodge have now decided to find his mother a new care home.

He said: “This is the second time she has escaped. Now they say she is too active, so we have just a few weeks to find a new home. I’m absolutely disgusted.”

Nicholas James Care Homes director Antonia Bath says moving Audrey is the best decision for her future.

She said: “Unfortunately this lady did leave the care home. We don’t know whether she let herself out using the PIN of a staff member or if she pressed the fire alarm. Obviously she is a very intelligent lady.

“I can assure you that an investigation was carried out immediately, and as soon as we were alerted we followed the correct procedures and protocols.

"It is a very sad situation to have a breakdown in the relationship with the family, and they are obviously upset, but we feel it is no longer safe to have the resident with us.

“We have an open and honest culture. We are really doing our best to look after the lady, who now has someone with her at all times until she finds suitable alternative accommodation.

“We do look after other residents with dementia, but there are different levels of care needs, it very much depends on the individual.

"We have made a suggestion to the local authority for another care home she might wish to go to.”