County council officials said the voluntary and independent sector would have to pick up the needs of those requiring low-level care.

At a public consultation meeting on Monday, carers said they were worried the voluntary sector would not cope.

The cuts could affect about 7,000 people around the county.

We just cannot continue with the level of funding we have now got Nigel Walker, Cornwall County Council

Every hour of home care costs the council �13. It is this sort of cost which the council hopes to reduce.

Nigel Walker, county council executive member for adult services, said: "In Cornwall, we provide services for people assessed as low, moderate, severe and critical.

"We're only one of six authorities in England and Wales actually doing that, and we just cannot continue with the level of funding we have now got. This is why it is talking about paying voluntary organisations to help out."

However, voluntary organisations are concerned they will not have enough volunteers, and that they will not get extra funding to help with any increased workload.

Sheila Addison, transport officer for the MS Society in south Cornwall, has worked in several charities for more than 30 years.

Further cuts

She said: "I just don't think there are enough volunteers, and currently the MS Society gets nothing from the county council, and I doubt we will in the future."

Carers are also concerned that if the cuts go through and prove to be successful, the government will demand more reductions.

Monday's evening's public consultation meeting was one of a series being carried out around the county.

The council's single issue panel which is looking at the cuts heard proposals at the meeting, including charging more for meals and asking people to pay for transport to and from day centres. It said it would consider such ideas.