Relatives of residents at a care home which is being shut down by watchdogs have not been informed of the closure, it has been claimed.

Muirhead Care Home in Alford, Aberdeenshire is to close temporarily later this month after the Care Inspectorate sought a court order over safety fears.

The daughter of one resident has told STV News that her mother has received excellent care at the home.

Dr Alison Carroll's 87-year-old mother Elizabeth is a resident in the home.

She says there has been a lack of transparency and consultation with relatives over the decision to close the home.

In response, the Care Inspectorate said conditions were so bad there was a risk to life.

Dr Carroll told STV News: "I've had no information whatsoever from anyone.

"I've made my own arrangements so that I know that my mother does have somewhere to go.

"But I haven't even been told the home is closing officially.

"I heard it on the news."

Her mother had been "ignored" in the process, she said.

A court hearing was earlier told that residents were not being fed properly at Muirhead and some had been found tied to chairs with belts.

The Care Inspectorate said the home was severely understaffed and essential medicine was not being distributed.

Aberdeen Sheriff Court granted a temporary interdict closing the home after August 31, pending a full hearing.

A spokesman for the Care Inspectorate said: "This is a really worrying time for older people, their families and loved ones.

"We very rarely seek emergency closure through the courts, but conditions in this care home were so bad they posed an unacceptable risk to people's life, health and wellbeing."

The spokesman continued: "Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership will keep in close contact with relatives during the coming days as older people are supported into care settings where they will be safe and cared for with dignity and compassion.

"We will be working closely with staff from the health and social partnership and expect them to be in touch with relatives on Monday."

Adam Coldwells, chief officer of the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: "Care Management teams will work with families and residents to minimise disruption and find suitable future care and accommodation."