A government watchdog has severely criticised a KCC-approved care home for 49 dementia sufferers.

The Care Quality Commission says it is planning another visit shortly to St Peter's Nursing home, housed in the former Northfleet town hall.

It was critical of the lack of staff, care and support provided to the elderly Alzheimer's patients, and says the owners - Ranc Care Homes Limited - is failing to protect the safety and welfare of people

Ranc must make urgent improvements after receiving five formal warnings during an unannounced inspection of the nursing home in Council Avenue in December.

Ian Biggs, Deputy Director of CQC in the South, said: "These standards exist to protect people who cannot always speak up for themselves from being put at risk of harm.

"Where multiple serious failings are identified, as at this home, urgent action is required to rectify them."

The CQC can fine, limit or close down a home if it does not improve.

Neither Sharon Crouch, the person in charge at Northfleet, nor Ranc's operations director, David Parry, was available to comment.