A businessman who wants to rescue a council-run old people's home today said he has been "fobbed off".

Monken Hadley at Bocking, near Braintree, will close unless a private sector offer to take over its running is made by next Friday.

It is one of six homes across Essex which failed to attract private sector interest when Essex County Council tried to sell or lease 13 homes.

But Manu Patel, a Braintree property and shop owner, said his bid has been snubbed - because he was not among the original would-be buyers.

Mr Patel, who has 30 years business experience, said it was pointless for the county to go back to the original potential buyers. He said they had already decided they did not want to bid.

Mr Patel said: "Despite the fact I could raise the money to take it over, they are not prepared to give it a chance."

He said when he approached the council's agents he was told he would not be successful because he had no experience in running a home.

He claimed he was also told he had missed the deadline for expressing an interest.

Mr Patel said: "The point is that I am a businessman. I know other people who are also business people who now own old people's homes, and do it very successfully.

"If we, as business people, are getting into a new business venture, we take a lot of advice and do a lot of research before taking on something new. I think they have already made up their minds."

Roger Sinden, county manager older people (residential), said there were three criteria for bidders last November.

He said they needed proven ability in managing care homes, have a track record with registration and inspection, and be experience.

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