OLDER people have been well looked after despite the treacherous weather conditions.

Meals on wheels services in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire have managed to keep delivering hot meals to the district’s older residents during the last week.

In South Gloucestershire the meals on wheels service has been supported by the council’s four-wheel drive vehicles, enabling more than 1,300 deliveries in the snow.

Kay Knight, head of traded and support services, said: "The winter weather has thrown up a number of challenges. The difficult conditions underfoot has meant that even the 4x4 vehicles have struggled in the icy conditions and once the team arrives they have faced frozen locks, jammed gates and icy footpaths.

"I’m very proud of the determination and professionalism of the team. They have ensured that none of our clients have missed out and have been spending more time with the clients, reassuring them and listening to their concerns."

Cllr Matthew Riddle, South Gloucestershire Council’s executive member for community care and housing, joined teams helping them deliver meals.

He said: "I have been hugely impressed by the dedication of the meals on wheels team. They’ve gone the extra mile to ensure that the meals are delivered in incredibly difficult conditions, something that I know is much appreciated by their clients."

In Gloucestershire staff at Community Steps, the county council’s care service, have been walking for miles to get to clients where snow and ice have made some roads impassable.

Trudi Wells, service manager, said: "Some care staff are catching the bus when it is difficult to get to places by car and we have had lots of people working on their days off and covering shifts they don’t normally do. Everything possible is being done to maintain a service."

The Women’s Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS), which cooks and delivers hot meals on behalf of the county council, have kept both their kitchens going in Stonehouse and Cheltenham, with a normal service operating across the county.

Staff from day centres, closed because of the snow, also helped out checking on elderly residents along with the council’s Village Agents.