Inspectors are closing an Inverness home for the elderly because of their concerns about the quality of care provided.

Scotland's social care watchdog, the Care Inspectorate, will cancel the registration of Clachnaharry Care Home in the Highland Capital despite a last ditch appeal by the owners.

The watchdog's inspectors visited the 35-bed home in May and found the quality of staffing, care and support and management leadership were all weak.

There was concern about cleanliness, hygiene, and the experience and training of staff.

A notice setting out seven areas for improvement was issued warning the owners they must show progress by September 30.

But the inspectorate did not believe enough had been done and last month ordered operators RDS Healthcare of Middlesex to shut the home, who have appealed.

A spokesman for the Care Inspectorate said they considered the provider's proposals, but did not think it would be suitable for the residents whose, they added, health, safety and well-being is paramount.

A sheriff criticised the company last year after an 87-year-old woman died, in a different home, with bed sores which had rotted to the bone.

During their visit to Clachnaharry the inspectors noticed some medication was missing from the home and found one of the medicine cupboards was not secure.

In some of the bathrooms they found rusty shower heads and shower enclosures mouldy with broken edges, while there were parts of the home where "the floors were unsafe due to broken floor boards which were causing holes in the floor".

While the quality of staffing was graded as being adequate, inspectors said that "staffing levels in the home were not always sufficient to meet the needs of the service users".

Staff morale was also said to be very low at the time.

The notice issued included that it had to be demonstrated that the manager was a person of "integrity and good character" and had the "skills knowledge and experience necessary for managing the care service."

A staff member at Clachnaharry said yesterday that the owners would not be commenting.