A care watchdog has issued a High Kelling home for the elderly with a formal warning following an unannounced inspection.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) says Pine Heath care home will face further action unless standards are improved.

Inspectors called at the home, in Cromer Road, on November 2 and discovered trip hazards including trailing wires; medicines, a hot drinks trolley and other hazardous substances left unsupervised; discrepancies in records, and some patients only given morning drugs about an hour before their lunchtime doses were due.

The home can care for up to 43 residents, some of whom may have dementia and need nursing or personal care.

Andrea Gordon, deputy director of operations with the CQC, said: 'The law says these are the standards that everyone should be able to expect. Providers have a duty to ensure they are compliant.

'This warning sends a clear message that the owner of Pine Heath care home needs to address these issues or face further consequences.

'Our inspectors will return in the near future and if we find that the required progress is not made we won't hesitate to use our legal powers to protect the people who use this service.'

Pine Heath owner Mr K Singh said: 'We are working closely with everyone to ensure that the actions required will be met, in accordance with the report.'

He added that residents' welfare was at the forefront of their concern and they wanted to ensure a positive outcome for everyone involved.