The council has voted to end the fees, which will mean around 2,000 people will no longer have to pay for their home care service.

About 920 people in the city are already receiving free home support. Those who pay do so on a sliding scale, with charges of up to �33 a week.

The city council has decided to end the charges to bring it in line with other neighbouring authorities.

The end of the charges will cost the city an additional �696,000 for the remainder of the year.

This year the council will use surplus funds to fund the change, but after that it will have to make savings in other areas.