MEALS on wheels organisers are hoping to recruit a pool of volunteers who will be able to meet growing demand for the service in Tidworth and Ludgershall.

In Wiltshire the service has been delivered by the Women's Royal Voluntary Service since 1938 and they now supply 9,000 meals every month for those unable to cook themselves a hot meal.

"The problem is that our numbers in Ludgershall have grown considerably and in order to make the deliveries more manageable we dearly wish to set up a volunteer group in the village," said WRVS Wiltshire project manager Jackie Pollock.

"We are looking for anyone who can spare about one and a half hours in the middle of the day to deliver around nine meals in Ludgershall.

"It is entirely up to the volunteer if they wish to deliver once a week or more or less. The arrangement will be that our driver will come to Ludgershall and meet up with the volunteer to hand over the meals.

"We deliver to absolutely anywhere in Wiltshire so if anyone lives elsewhere and wishes to help I guarantee that we need them."

The work is unpaid but volunteers receive a mileage allowance of 37.8p to cover fuel and other vehicle costs. While the provision of a hot meal is the main focus of the service the daily delivery also provides a useful social service.

Sometimes the meal deliverer is the only person the elderly person sees each day and many deliverers stop for a friendly chat while doing their rounds.

Volunteers can also be the first to see if an older person is in difficulty and can alert social services if necessary. If you think you could help then call Jackie Pollock on 01380 728131.