GLOUCESTERSHIRE has been ranked the 11th most expensive county out of 47 counties in England for care services.

Figures also show that the cost of care in the county has risen.

The findings come from England-wide CQC data compiled by TrustedCare.co.uk.

The average cost per week for care homes has increased by 23 per cent, from £637.25 last year to £787 this year.

For nursing homes, the average cost per week is £972, a 15 per cent rise from £842.95 last year.

While prices have increased, overall care quality has decreased.

Gloucestershire was ranked 20th for overall care quality, dropping from its 8th place ranking in December last year.

81 per cent of services rated in Gloucestershire were deemed 'good' and nearly 19 per cent required improvement.

Nationally, there is also a trend of rising prices and a slump in the quality of residential, nursing and home care.

The quality of care in England has dropped by almost 10 per cent in 2016, while care home prices have jumped by an average of nearly a quarter.