A Norfolk care home could be closed as council bosses, facing the need to make £125m of savings over the next four years, look at ways to save money.

An eight week consultation on the future of the Priorsmead care home in Thetford has just started, with a decision on the 16-room home due to be made later this year.

The care home, in Canterbury Way, is owned by Norse Care - a care company set up and owned by Norfolk County Council.

The residential home is Norse Care's smallest and the council says a review established a place in it costs more than one in any of the care provider's other 22 residential homes for older people.

The council says, in light of the 'particularly challenging financial environment and having assessed a range of options', they had decided to consult on the future of the home, which was rated good by the Care Quality Commission two years ago.

If the proposal to shut the home went ahead, the council says Norse Care and County Hall's adult social services department would support the residents to remain living in the area close to family and friends.

The council says residents, relatives, staff and others are invited to respond during the consultation period, which will run until Wednesday, October 18.

They say those affected have been informed and will be able to discuss the proposals over the coming weeks and months.

The findings of the consultation will be fed back to the Norse Care/adult social care liason board, which will then make a recommendation to Norfolk County Council.

If Norse Care recommends closure and the council approves that, then the home would be shut. The council says Norse Care would 'put plans in place to ensure that residents and staff are fully supported throughout the process'.

They say residents would be assessed by the council and offered care and accommodation which supports their needs.

With the county council looking to save £125m over the next four years, some £31m is earmarked to be saved from adult social care.

In 2015, Norse Care agreed to close four of its homes in Norwich.

Somerley House, Heathfield, Philadelphia House and Mountfield shut, with a number of the residents moving to the £19m care village at Bowthorpe.