There are fears people will miss regular contact with delivery drivers

But there are fears that people will miss day-to-day contact with delivery drivers and already more than 1,000 people have signed a petition opposing the changes.

The new service will move from delivering hot meals every day to providing several frozen meals in one go.

The authority says it will improve the choice of meals available and people can also decide what time of day they want to eat.

The quality of food and improvement in equipment now make frozen meals a very safe and effective way of supplying meals Swansea councillor John Davies

Reverend Alan George, of Dunvant, who is a wheelchair user while waiting for a hip operation, receives three meals a week.

He said the service was about more than just providing meals.

"I am not happy about the changes at all," he said

"It is a social service - when they call they will stop and chat for a few minutes and help with little things like popping letters into the post box.

"By calling three or four times a week they can check how people are - some of the people are in their eighties and nineties.

Lobbying

"Frozen meals can be bought at any supermarket so what will they be providing that I can't provide for myself?"

"If they are going to deliver less often - and I have heard it will be as little as once a month - in my opinion this welfare service will just be tipped away."

The 30 staff who run the service are also understood to be unhappy about the proposals and are lobbying councillors to try to force a rethink.

But Swansea Council said everyone who received meals would be visited to agree the most appropriate arrangements for them.

It said it would improve nutritional standards and safety because many people were re-heating their meal.

Freezers and microwaves will be provided where needed to ensure meals are stored and heated properly.

Re-deploy

Carers will also be available to help in the preparation of meals, if needed.

The authority also said the current service had been criticised and the number of delivered meals had fallen from more than 89,000 six years ago to 65,000 today.

Cabinet member for social services John Davies said: "The quality of food and improvement in equipment now make frozen meals a very safe and effective way of supplying meals to those who need help.

"The cost of the meals is currently �1.90 and will not increase as a result of the changes."

Director of social services Hugh Gardner said: "It will take us some time to introduce the changes which we expect will be in January next year.

"There is a lot of preparation and discussion to be held with all concerned.