MORE elderly York residents suffering ill-health and poor mobility will be hit by plans to scrap a subsidised cleaning service, the Evening Press has been told.

The pensioners are among 400 residents who have been told they are to lose a subsidised cleaning service at the end of July because of City of York Council cutbacks.

Concern has grown that residents who suffer from breathing difficulties will be among those most seriously affected by the changes.

Last week the Evening Press revealed that a York asthma sufferer feared that losing the vital service would leave her unable to live in her home.

The service is vital for her to clean her bed and get rid of dust, which aggravates her condition.

More elderly and vulnerable people have now come forward to speak of their concerns.

Pensioner Winifred Benson, 81, who uses an oxygen machine at home and can only travel outside using an invalid buggy, has relied on the council's subsidised cleaning service for over eight years.

Mrs Benson, of Lime Tree Avenue, New Earswick, suffers from severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and arthritis.

She said: "I can't stand up for long and there's no way I could push a vacuum cleaner around or even do simple cleaning."

Mrs Benson said she hoped to pay more and keep her cleaner, but said it would be a struggle on her pension.

Margaret Kirkbride, 63, of Askham Lane, has had a subsidised cleaner for five years.

Mrs Kirkbride suffers from diabetes, fibromyalgia, breathing difficulties and a heart problem and is due to visit hospital this week for a brain scan.

She said it was very difficult to find a good cleaner and that she could not afford to pay for a private one on her pension.

Residents currently pay £6.70 for two hours of cleaning a week and the council pays the other half.

Users received a letter from City of York Council saying the cleaning service was being cut because of "severe and continual financial pressures".

Under the present system, people are assessed for their care needs, and they receive the cleaning service in addition. The council said that people could apply to be reassessed and some of these people would continue to receive services because of their needs.

A City of York Council spokesman said: "We would like to stress that people can be reassessed if they feel they have a continuing need."

Updated: 11:59 Monday, April 22, 2002