An elderly woman who relies on social services care every day was left without any help.

If the 94-year-old's family had not come to her aid, they reckon she could have been on her own for a week.

Every morning a carer is supposed to visit the woman in her Stanway home to wash and dress her, give her breakfast and remind her to take her tablets.

In the evenings helpers give her dinner and get her ready for bed.

But on Monday no-one showed up.

The first that family member Christine Webb knew about it was when a neighbour, who had popped in to visit, raised the alarm.

The woman is immobile and needs a wheelchair whenever she goes out.

Fortunately, the family were able to rally round and help the pensioner, but they are worried others who are cared for might not be so lucky.

"There could be some poor souls out there with nobody to help them," said Mrs Webb.

Essex County Council said the woman and her family had been told that cover would not be available for a few days, and the family had agreed to look after her.

But Mrs Webb disputed that.

"If that was the case, why would we be causing a fuss now?" she asked.

The council spokesman said: "We do not comment on individual cases. However, we take any complaints about our services very seriously. We will carry out a thorough investigation on any complaints that we receive."

Published Friday August 13, 2004

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