UK weighs 20,000 pounds charge for elderly care

* Compulsory charge one of three options being considered

* Need to tackle growing care problem as population ages

LONDON, July 14 (Reuters) - Britain may introduce a compulsory charge of up to 20,000 pounds ($33,000) per person to pay for care in old age, health minister Andy Burnham said on Tuesday.

The proposal, which would see everyone who can afford it paying between 17,000 and 20,000 pounds, is one of the three options being considered alongside a top-up payment system and an insurance-based approach.

"We are proposing a radical reform of care ... we need a system that's fair, simple and affordable for everyone," Burnham said.

Under the current system, some people have to pay tens of thousands of pounds, or sell their house, to pay for care in old age.

On average, Britons spend 30,000 pounds for care but about 20 percent pay more than 50,000 pounds and those who develop serious conditions like Alzheimer's can pay more than 200,000 pounds.

Caring for the country's ageing population is a big and growing business for operators of care homes, such as Southern Cross (SCHE.L), Care UK (CUK.L), Nestor (NSR.L), Claimar Care CCGP.L and Mears Group (MERG.L). (Reporting by Ben Hirschler; editing by Ben Deighton)