ELDERLY people could lose a vital lifeline after Wiltshire County Council announced plans to scrap its existing Meals on Wheels service and replace it with a new scheme.

Currently, 247 vulnerable pensioners have a hot meal delivered daily by contractors Sodexho Healthcare.

But the council has decided to end the contract ten months early, and introduce a new way of running the service, which could include bulk deliveries of frozen food which older people have to heat themselves.

Thirty Salisbury-based Sodexho staff are facing redundancy.

From June 1, the council plans to introduce a "signposting service" which directs people to a list of local suppliers they can chose from to provide their meals.

It says each of the pensioners will be assessed and social care will be available for those who need help to prepare and serve their lunch.

However, many more elderly people could be left to heat and plate their own food, sparking fears they will be left hungry and isolated.

"In many cases, this is the only hot meal they have in a day and they really look forward to the arrival of their Meals on Wheels lady or man," the Salisbury relative of a Meals on Wheels customer, who did not want to be named, told the Journal.

"The people who deliver these meals also have a duty to the client by having a little chat with them and observing their wellbeing. In some cases, they get the doctor or even call an ambulance.

"If this check ceases, how long will somebody lie on the floor awaiting help?"

Phyllis Days, from Salisbury Age Concern, said her understanding of the new arrangements was everyone who needed a hot meal would get one.

She added the changes were designed to give people more choice, and Age Concern had been guaranteed no elderly person would suffer following the termination of the contract with Sodexho.

The £2.30 price of the Meals on Wheels service may also change, and the council admits it has no control over how much the new suppliers will charge customers.

A Wiltshire County Council spokesman said: "We are introducing an option of choice. Each customer will enter into an individual contract with their meal supplier.

"We will supply a social care aspect to help them eat the meal if that is necessary.

"We have a duty to deliver value for money to council taxpayers and because of a reduction in the number of people being eligible for the home meals service, we decided not to review our contract with Sodexho.

"We have written to our clients to explain the changes."

Director of community services at the council, Sue Redmond, said: "We are committed to ensuring we provide care services in the most effective and efficient manner possible.

"This includes ensuring people who require a meals service have access to one, and no vulnerable person is put at risk."

A spokesman for Sodexho said: "Sodexho and its Wiltshire home meals team are disappointed this service is to be discontinued.

"We will work closely with the council to ensure vulnerable residents are protected in this transitional phase."