SIR: As a senior citizen of Bolton and a disabled woman, I am reliant on the Home Care Service, which the Social Services provide. Up to a couple of years ago this service was free; perhaps that's the wrong word, as I was a tax payer all my working life, and contributed my share, like so many others While I did not object to paying £30 a week for the service, it has increased considerably, and now we are soon expected to pay £47.50 a week. This on top of having to pay for a private cleaner, gardener, and my household bills, which, as we all know, are forever on the increase, is pushing my budget to the limit.

Now the Social Services are expecting us to have meals on wheels seven days a week, as they feel they can no longer provide help with the making of lunches, due to their lack of funds. These meals will be £1.30 and may, we have been informed, be increased to £1.50. I, for one, do not want meals on wheels, I have tried them and do not like them; it is all a matter of choice - a choice it seems we may soon not have. This is supposed to be care in the community; sadly it is somewhat lacking. It seems to me that when you have prepared yourself financially for your latter years, you are penalised for it. Perhaps it would have been better to have spent my money when I was able.

May I just point out that residents of Bolton using the Home Care Service, pay considerably more than our neighbouring towns. I must surely not be alone in my feelings on this subject. Don't just sit at home and grumble about it; if you feel the same way please write yourself to the Bolton Evening News, and air your views.

We mustn't just accept this.

Mrs J Mellor,

Lingmoor Road,

Heaton, Bolton.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.