Almost 50 elderly residents are searching for a new place to live - after their care home made the shock decision to shut tomorrow.

Elliott House in Herne Bay has announced it will close for good, just four days after a visit from Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors.

Bosses from the Reculver Road service - which cares for dementia sufferers and those over the age of 65 - have asked Kent County Council to re-home the 46 people who fill its rooms.

However, they remain tight-lipped about the reasons for the shock closure, simply saying their issues "stem from the Covid pandemic".

An Elliott House spokesman said: "It's closing with immediate effect and will cease trading as a care home as of tomorrow. That is the target date.

"Our primary concern at the moment is to ensure all of our residents are fully re-homed elsewhere, and we will remain open until that is fully effected.

"Our problems stem from the Covid pandemic and we're in a position of unsustainability going forward.

"This industry has been hit hardest (by the pandemic) and been least supported from the very beginning."

A loved one of a resident at the site has described the announcement as "very sudden", while another says her partner "is desperately searching around for an alternative place for his mum".

The spokesman did not say why the decision was made at such short notice and would not explain how exactly the outbreak of coronavirus has dented its viability.

But KCC says it had "recently been working with the CQC and Elliott House to identify shortfalls and necessary improvements in the delivery of the care home service", before the business decided to lock its doors.

“The owner has informed the council that the business will close on Friday, November 19, and has requested that the council re-home all 46 residents," she added.

“We are aware that this has come as a shock and is a worrying occurrence for the residents and their families and would like to reassure them that, as always, their safety and quality of care is our utmost priority.

"We have reviewed all of the residents' needs and requirements and are currently moving them to suitable alternative placements.”

CQC head of inspections Hazel Roberts says Elliott House was visited by inspectors on Monday.

Following the assessment, she states bosses at Elliott House "informed us of their intention to close the service".

“We are working closely with KCC to seek assurances that people are being moved to services that are appropriate to their needs," Ms Roberts continued.

"We will publish our findings from the inspection in due course.”

Elliott House was last visited by the CQC in 2019, after which it was rated requires improvement, the second-worst score available.

A report published by the watchdog listed among its findings that residents "were not always treated with dignity and respect" and "there were not enough staff to support people safely".

Head to our business page for all of the latest news about businesses in Kent

Read more: All the latest news from Herne Bay