I READ in horror the front page news of the poor gentleman who lay dead in his sheltered housing complex (Man lay dead for three weeks, March 23).

This is nothing more than we predicted would happen over the changes to the wardens, where they were introduced.

I live in a sheltered housing complex and, when I first moved in, all the tenants had to fit a certain criteria and be in need of support.

The warden was on hand at the complex and had office space in the community centre. She was a familiar face and the residents warmed to her, trusted her and felt safe with the knowledge that she was around.

She called us every weekday morning via the intercoms in our flats and visited each of us at least once a week. For the more vulnerable, she kept an extra watch and things ran very smoothly. We had trips out which she arranged, giving less mobile residents the opportunity to attend, and social events were also arranged in the community centre. A community spirit was felt by all.

When notice was given that the wardens were to be no more and that community support officers (CSOs) were to take their place, we all expressed our concerns but they fell on deaf ears and we were assured the service would remain the same or improve. The money we paid remained the same, but the service did not.

We no longer have a warden on site. The CSO is not allowed to attend trips so quite a few people, including myself, feel that they can no longer go. Our calls in the morning are made by a variety of people and our visits at the moment are non-existent. The community spirit has been lost.

Even if this gentleman had opted out of his morning call because of the expense, I truly believe that if the old warden system had remained or a CSO had been on site this would not have happened.

B Ward Bolton