NEWPORT'S 'older people's champion' is leading calls for the city's meals-on-wheels service to be scrapped.

Councillor Paul Cockeram, cabinet member for social and housing services, told the Argus the money could be put to better use.

He said: "Only 50 or 60 elderly people out of about 22,000 in Newport use the service."

Instead, Councillor Cockeram wants to see a service offering "coffee and a chat", which he said would benefit more people with "real social contact".

Last year Councillor Cockeram was given the task of deciding whether to save the meals-on-wheels service after the council planned to scrap it. In the face of huge opposition from service users and organisers the council reversed their plans.

Meals-on-wheels organisers reacted angrily to the latest calls. Organiser Norma Frost, 79, said: "Some people will be gutted if it goes because they rely on it."