NEWPORT'S social services chief defended the council's decision to axe meals on wheels claiming those who receive it are not among the most vulnerable of city residents.

And there will be no going back on what social services director Ellis Williams called "a very difficult decision".

He admitted this is a cut in services, but vowed that no-one will be harmed by the decision to be implemented in June.

"We are taking a cut on meals on wheels, but putting in 100,000 to meet the growing needs of elderly people, and there is extra money for vulnerable people," he said.

The social services department has to find more than 400,000 savings, part of the council's delivery of a one per cent saving in spending demanded by the Assembly. The savings to the council amounts to 114,000 - 0.06 per cent of the council't total budget of 193 million.

While the WRVS service is free, the council cash is used to pay for the food, cooks and delivery vans.

"We are thinking about elderly people's services as a whole, targeting resources on those in greatest need. One of our prime aims is to enable people to remain independent, in their own homes," he said.

"Predominantly that is through investing in home care, day care and Xtra care."

The latter is the name for schemes like Wellwood House in Ringland. Three more are planned as part of a 14 million link with Glamorgan and Gwent Housing Association.

"The council places the needs of the elderly high on its agenda, but has to target scarce resources on the most needy," said Mr Williams.

"People who receive meals on wheels are not people who, at the end of the day, are at the most vulnerable end of the spectrum."

Mr Williams denied that the decline in numbers of people qualifying for meals on wheels was because criteria had been changed, and he pledged: "No-one in need will be left without support, but the service just cannot sustain itself.

"If they have needs we will make sure they are met. There are alternative suppliers or people can go to the shops from their own homes to get food, if they are able.

"Some people come into the scheme and after a period they get better, and good for them.

"If they are unable to shop or reheat a meal we would make sure it happens, but we would not be paying for it.