VOLUNTEERS who take hot meals to some of Newport's most vulnerable residents - a service soon to be axed by the city council - say it is more than just a delivery service.

Christine George was able to call the emergency services in time to save the life of woman she found in a coma when she made a regular call at her home.

Mrs George, WRVS project manager in Caerleon, said of the incident a few years ago: "I think if we hadn't called on her that day she wouldn't have survived.

"All the volunteers are desperately concerned about what is going to happen to the clients.

It doesn't make sense. We deliver the meals for free and the people who have the meals pay for them."

She said this centred around the older generation who often would not have anyone "to stand up and speak for them if we didn't".

While saving lives may not be a regular occurence for WRVS volunteers who operate the meals-on-wheels service, it is quite usual for them to help those they visit in other ways such as delivering post or even changing a light bulb, as Paul Burns did this week.

"It's not just about the meal; it's the personal touch," said Paul, who has given his time freely to help the elderly and housebound for the last three years, including Christmas Day.

When we called at the Ringland centre where the meals are freshly prepared each week day before being delivered by the volunteers, they all had stories to tell about the people they regard as friends, not clients.

And they were all devastated by this week's news that the service will be withdrawn by Newport city council in June.

Norma Frost, WRVS organiser, has been a meals-on-wheels volunteer for 19 years. "It is very, very sad. It has taken a lot of sinking in."

At the moment the service means that some people are able to leave hospital and go home, knowing they will receive a hot meal.

Mrs Frost was concerned that they would now have to remain in hospital for longer leading to "bed-blocking".

Maggie Matthews, a volunteer for ten years, gave one example of the people she visits. "I go to a lovely bloke. I started delivering when his wife was alive. I'm not just a volunteer, I'm his friend. He tells me his troubles and talks about gardening.

"I go there every week and he says it's lovely to see me. I think for many people we are their link to the outside world, not just a deliverer of meals. It's very sad.

"If we don't fight for them, nobody will fight for them. We are more dedicated because we do it because we like it.

"We have always managed to deliver, in all winds and weathers. We have even been out with the army when it snowed.

"We are not just losing customers, we are losing friends."

She said there was a lot of trust between the volunteers and the customers.

They felt it was ridiculous to cut a service to save just £114,000.

Diane Davies said: "We would like an explanation of what they are going to use the money for."

She has only been a volunteer for three months. "Everyone appreciates what we do and I'm really gutted. I really enjoy it and they are our friends.

Volunteers claimed that they were asked to deliver letters to the clients telling them the service was being ended but they refused.

Beryl Pritchard, a volunteer for several years, said: "Not everybody has got family."

Her husband John Pritchard, another volunteer, said: "I would like to know, when they scrap these meals, how are these people going to manage?"

Newport council employs four cooks who prepare an average of 90 meals every day. They have been told they will be offered alternative employment.

But one, 43-year-old Denise Smith, of Pontfaen, was upset that she would no longer be doing the job she loves. She has delivered meals when the WRVS have needed some extra help.

"This is more than a job in my opinion," said Mrs Smith. "I take pride in what I do."