CHANGES to the way the city's meals on wheels are provided will not "affect the level and care" of residents, York council chiefs said today.

Social services bosses at City of York Council have moved to give this reassurance, after the authority agreed to offer a pilot contract to Wiltshire Farm Foods to deliver frozen meals to social services customers earlier this month.

They say the majority of customers would see no real change since 53 per cent already receiving frozen meals. They stress that residents will still receive the support they need.

The Evening Press reported last week that Age Concern was worried that the new drivers might not be properly trained or be able to serve as the vital point of contact as well as the current providers - council care workers and the Women's Royal Voluntary Service.

Unison also raised concerns about the risk of staff losing their jobs and the quality of the service provided, but councillors pressed ahead with the changes.

Today, the authority said the frozen meals could be heated in both a conventional oven and a microwave.

Bill Hodson, the council's acting director of community services, said: "I appreciate that some customers are worried about how the changes will affect them.

"However, I would like to reassure them that anyone who is unable to prepare their own meals will still receive the support to do so.

"We are also introducing a new Home Support Service, which will be linked to Warden Call and will aim to prevent problems arising from social isolation in the community."

Under the new pilot scheme, customers can request a reassessment of their care needs if they are worried that they will not be able to prepare their own meals.

In addition, staff from Wiltshire Farm Foods will have information and training to ensure they pick up any concerns about customers when they deliver the meals. These will then be referred back to the council to be followed up.

Updated: 11:24 Tuesday, January 24, 2006