Kent has the most care homes under investigation in the country, fresh figures reveal.

A total of 14 have been plunged into special measures following the latest round of watchdog inspections.

The concerning statistics place the Garden of England above the West Midlands, which has 12 homes in special measures.

Comparatively, 12 counties have no care homes rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission, including Greater London.

And recent analysis revealed the South East was the worst performing region with 44 facilities not up to scratch, according to MailOnline.

When the CQC rates a care home inadequate it takes enforcement action after placing it in special measures.

Inspectors will order an urgent list of improvements, which need to be made by a specified date.

When inspectors arrived at Madeira Lodge in New Romney they discovered people were not protected from harm.

The report stated: “We found people had been locked in their bedrooms during the night without their consent and without appropriate legal authorisation."

At Barnes Lodge in Tonbridge, an unannounced inspection last year revealed residents had been left with "mystery bruises" and "long and dirty" fingernails.

It slipped from ‘good’ to ‘inadequate’, with inspectors noting: “There were too few staff and many that were on shift at the time were from an agency.”

In October last year inspectors ruled Pelham House in Folkestone was “putting people at risk.”

The CQC placed the home into special measures after an inspection found problems with medication, cleanliness and other safety issues.

Hazel Roberts, the CQC head of adult social care inspection, said in the report care standards “ fell way below what people should expect.”

"People didn’t always receive their medication as prescribed and the premises weren't always clean or safe for people living with dementia,” she added.

And staff told inspectors at Rogers House in Wigmore, Gillingham, the home is “not always a good place to work".

In a report published last lasy year follow a July visit, inspectors added they received concerns about both staffing and wound care.

During the visit, they spoke with people who did give positive feedback about the service but staff told them "things had deteriorated".

The report stated: "Staff told us: 'It is horrible. This is the worst I have ever known it. You get days where you think you do not want to come in'."

The full list of homes which have been ordered to clean up their act are:

• Beechcare in New Romney
• Sandgate Manor in Sandgate
• Upton House in Deal
• Strode Park House in Herne Bay
• Welcome House in Sittingbourne
• Rogers House in Gillingham
• Valley View Care Home in Rochester
• Sheringham House in Gravesend
• The Hollies Residential Home in Gravesend
• Lyndhurst Nursing Home in Bexley
• Queens Court in Bromley
• Pelham House in Folkestone
• Barnes Lodge in Tonbridge
• Madeira Lodge in New Romney

A CQC spokesman said: “The majority of care homes in England are good or outstanding and this reflects the incredible efforts of care workers and providers who have gone above and beyond to provide high quality care.

“However, in some locations this is not the case.

“When our inspections find that people are not receiving care which meets their needs and expectations, we take regulatory action to ensure this improves.

“If people have concerns about the care they or their loved ones receive, we encourage them to share their experiences with us so we can respond.”