A Scottish care home representative body is set to expand into England.

Scottish Care, which is currently in dispute with the Scottish executive and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities over fees, will be competing with existing bodies such as the National Care Homes Association and the Registered Nursing Home Association.

The new organisation claims it will represent more than 50 per cent of care beds in England.

Scottish Care's chief executive Joe Campbell is to head English Care, because of his success in securing fee increases north of the border.

Campbell said: "This is the most exciting development in independent care in England for more than a decade. The creation of a new national organisation for the independent sector is a giant step forward in our campaign for fairness."