Meals-on-wheels to thousands of elderly and infirm people in Essex are under threat again.

Essex social services chiefs are considering replacing the daily hot meals with frozen dinners delivered once a fortnight - a plan condemned by pressure groups.

The move comes just over a year after the county dropped an identical proposal in the face of mounting public concern following an Echo campaign - a campaign which is now being revived.

It would hit people in Colchester, Braintree, Uttlesford, Tendring, Rochford, Castle Point and Basildon districts - Southend and Thurrock would not be affected because they run their own social services.

Crucial meetings are to be held with local authorities on Tuesday to outline a series of proposals.

County council bosses say they have a duty to deliver cost-effective services under the Best Value banner brought in by the Government.

That could mean a fortnightly delivery of frozen food, heating the food in transit and even redundancy for staff who prepare the food.

Labour councillor Graham Fox, spokesman for Rochford District Council, said: "Cost isn't the only consideration in the Best Value scheme.

"We have to consider whether the service is worth paying for - and in the case of Meals on Wheels, it most certainly is. I would definitely reject any proposals to change the system we have at the moment.

"The health risks associated with re-heating food should also be carefully considered."

The Echo launched its campaign to save Meals on Wheels for the elderly 18 months ago and it resulted in the county council dropping its plans earlier last year.

County council leaders insist there are no plans to reduce the service this time but they meet with district councillors and providers on Tuesday to discuss ways of being more cost effective.

Bob Sears, of Basildon Forum for the Elderly, described the proposals as "diabolical" and added: "I opposed this before and I will certainly oppose it again. They may argue that it's best value in terms of cost but it's not best value for the pensioners who need these meals."

Elizabeth Dines (Con, Maldon), the county council's social services committee chairman, said: "All these options will be discussed in the review.

"This has been done every few years certainly in the 23 years I have been on the council. I have an open mind at the moment but a report will be drawn up next month and considered."

Nigel Smith, chairman of Basildon Council's community and leisure services committee has promised "one hell of a battle" if county bosses decide to scrap the daily deliveries.

He said: "I have no doubt the report will recommend ending the daily service, which will be replaced by a private company delivering a batch of frozen meals to each client every fortnight.

"Frozen meals could prove a disaster. How are these people supposed to store the food?"

A Basildon Council spokesman said: "Any changes to Meals on Wheels would have an impact on our welfare catering division."

Castle Point Council leader Dave Wells revealed that an emergency council meeting could be called to discuss the recommendations so that the entire community could debate the issue.

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