IT is now official - a popular meals on wheels service which is a lifeline for elderly and vulnerable people has been saved at the 11th hour.

Link Homecare has come to the rescue of the popular service and has now confirmed they will provide a replacement meals on wheels delivery to south Worcestershire. We reported the rumours on September 24 but Link Homecare has now confirmed them.

Fears had developed among elderly residents and their families after the previous provider, Agincare Cuisine, which had provided the service to 150 people, had not renewed its contract with Worcestershire County Council. Details of a replacement service from the county council were vague, leading to concern from some service users about how people would be fed.

Last week, Link Homecare was announced as one of the new providers of Meals on Wheels for South Worcestershire. Link Homecare, owned by Cleeve Care Group already has a proven track record in meal delivery services, providing hot meals throughout Cheltenham and Newent, Gloucestershire and Swindon, Wiltshire.

Link Homecare say they not only deliver hot and tasty two course meals with a variety of menu options, seven days a week, 365 days a year but they also offer free welfare checks where a fully trained driver will check that clients are well, safe and secure, alerting next of kin if necessary.

Tim Lennard of Blackmore Park Road, Welland, near Malvern, who has an 86-year-old mother, Mary, with dementia, said: "I am extremely relieved. Assuming it all goes smoothly and they continue to deliver, it makes a huge difference to the whole family and obviously my mum. It provides significant relief to a working family."

Cleeve Care Group kitchens are managed and overseen by their executive chef, Mark Davidson who said he recognises the importance of nutrition and the enjoyment of food in maintaining the health of their elderly clients.

He said: "It confirms Cleeve Care Group’s determination to stay at the forefront of providing care for the elderly that enhances life experience and exceeds expectations."

As well as a meals on wheels service, Cleeve Care Group has three care homes, a 24 hour live-in care service and Link Homecare’s hourly care in the home. For more details call 0800 433 2323.