THE number of hot meals delivered to the homes of elderly and disabled people across Bury will double by next spring.

From April, up to 2,500 hot meals on wheels will be delivered to every part of the borough seven days a week to people not living in residential care who are unable to cook for themselves.

The increase comes after Bury Council's social services negotiated a new contract with care provider Wharfedale.

The Meals on Wheels service was originally provided through a combination of staff and volunteers organised by the WRVS and their work has been praised by Councillor Tim Chamberlain.

Coun Chamberlain, the council's executive member for health and social services, said: "I would like to thank the WRVS for their help over the years. The service has been provided by mostly unpaid volunteers who have given their time and energy to help their communities and neighbourhoods"

He added: "Services for older people are entering a new era and the support at home which older people are now demanding means we could not continue to rely on volunteers, supported by our own staff, to provide this new expanded meals service."

In addition to the traditional lunchtime delivery, future plans include a teatime service planned for next summer, with kosher and halal food available.

The new hot meals service will become operational on December 27, but is being phased in areas not presently covered by the WRVS.