NEWPORT'S mayor Paul Cockeram yesterday came face to face with the committed volunteers who work for the city's threatened meals-on-wheels service and met some of the elderly people who rely on the regular deliveries.

He was able to tell them that the council was now going to review its decision to axe the service.

But they know the fight to save meals-on-wheels regarded as a lifeline by many of its users is far from over.

Councillor Cockeram first met the WRVS volunteers, who ensure hot and frozen meals reach those who need them, at their base in Ringland.

He first gave them a reassurance that the council was going to review its decision and would listen to all those who were concerned with care of the elderly.

"I believe we need to start looking at more social contact rather than just one or two meals a week and I have always believed that. We have got to move forward in the 21st century."

He said that everyone who was receiving meals at the moment would be assessed by social services who would consider all aspects of care, including benefit entitlement. "Out of all this, hopefully, there will be a more constructive service in the future," he said.

He also talked about the possibility of a "befriending" service to ensure social contact continued but he added that those who needed meals should receive them.

The volunteers raised several points about the cost of alternative provision for their customers and several gave examples of the people they visit and their situations.

They took issue with the council's claim that demand for the service had fallen. Afterwards, WRVS organiser Norma Frost said she felt the mayor had been quite fair but they had not really been reassured and felt they still had a battle on their hands.

"My wife said they are kicking the people that are down and we are down," Ken Williams told the mayor.

Mr Williams was describing his and his wife Kath's reaction when they were told the meals-on-wheels service was being axed.

Home carers go to their home in the morning and evening to help 90-year-old Mr Williams in and out of bed. Mrs Williams, 84, does have some mobility but is unable to stand for long and has not been out of her home for nine years.

Eileen Phillips lost her son earlier this year and her 88-year-old husband is seriously ill in hospital. "We do rely on the dinners," she explained to Councillor Cockeram. "I can't do a lot and I have carers that come in."