A SERVICE which provides hot meals to some of Newport's most vulnerable residents is being axed.

The city council is the first in Wales to cut its meals-on-wheels service on cost grounds - it will mean a saving of £114,000.

But members of the Women's Royal Voluntary Service, which provides the service, say they are "disappointed" by the decision.

WRVS volunteers were given the shocking news earlier this week and are extremely upset by the decision to cut meals-on-wheels, which they say is a lifeline to its many users.

Christine George, WRVS project manager in Caerleon, said: "We are absolutely devastated for the people who receive the meals. We are worried about what is going to happen to some of them."

More than 20 volunteer drivers in Caerleon and another 30 operating out of Ringland take meals to about 270 people around the city who pay a charge for the food.

"One lady in Caerleon is completely housebound and she depends on us for a hot meal. It is definitely a lifeline for some people," said Mrs George. "Some of these people don't see anybody else and depend on us."

Mrs George and other volunteers said they do more than just deliver meals to their clients and were looked upon as friends.

There are even occasions when the drivers have had to call a doctor in when they have discovered the elderly or housebound resident is ill or has had a fall.

Norma Frost, WRVS organiser in Newport, said: "We are concerned for the people having the meals, sometimes they don't see anyone else and sometimes we do little jobs for them. It is very sad."

One of the drivers, who did not wish to be named, said: "For the people we deliver to we are their link to the outside world. I am absolutely appalled by what the council are doing."

In a statement Newport council said it was withdrawing its meals on wheels service from June as part of its budget considerations for the next financial year.

The number of people receiving the service had reduced "primarily due to the greater availability of low cost convenience foods".

A spokesman said: "Every person currently in receipt of the service will be re-assessed and assisted to choose an alternative provision. For those people who will miss the social contact element an alternative service will be sought via the voluntary sector."