THE meals on wheels service for pensioners in the Selby district is being changed, reportedly leaving many with a huge increase in the amount they pay.

While the hot meal service is to stay the same, North Yorkshire County Council has confirmed it is changing the way it operates its frozen meal deliveries, but has given no explanation why and has not detailed the alternatives.

The move has been criticised by Leanna Cook, the granddaughter of 83-year-old Billy Gardener, of Tadcaster, who has been receiving four frozen meals a week for £11.

Leanna said her grandfather had been told the service would now be run by Wiltshire Farm Foods and that his weekly bill would rise to between £20 and £40, depending on the meals he chose.

She said: “The frozen meals are a lifeline for people in the community like my grandad so he can keep his independence. He wants to do things himself. He chose the frozen meals as he could heat them up himself. It is part of his independence.”

She said the rise was disgraceful, as was the lack of communication – Mrs Cook said she had been told that the service would be changed over by October 22, but it was only through a rumour that she initially heard about it. In a statement, North Yorkshire County Council did not say why the service was being changed nor did it comment on the price increase.

A spokeswoman said: “The county council would like to confirm that there will be no change to the hot meal delivery service Meals On Wheels. “However, they can confirm that there will be a change to the way in which frozen meals are delivered to individuals who are in receipt of this service in the Selby area. These individuals will continue to receive a frozen meal delivered by the county council until they have had an individual review and agree an alternative delivery of their frozen meal. Their review will ensure that all nutritional needs are met.”

The Press contacted Wiltshire Farm Foods at its Nun Monkton office, but no-one returned our call.