FEARS have been raised that elderly people who receive meals on wheels could suffer from an argument over working hours.

Workers at Sodexho, which is contracted to provide meals on wheels for Cheshire County Council, are at loggerheads with bosses who are trying to cut their working hours.

One employee, who does not wish to be named, said: "They have given us this contract to sign and basically we feel if we don't we lose our job.

"They want to cut our hours by one hour per day which is a 20 per cent reduction in our pay.

"What is the point of our original contract if they can just come along and tell us to sign a new one?"

Sodexho delivers to 1,000 elderly people across Cheshire from its depot in Merdian House in Winsford.

Staff are now calling for bosses to rethink.

The worker said: "Can you imagine what would happen if we just decided to walk out in protest because of this?

"People wouldn't get their food and the company is relying on our good nature that we won't do that.

"They are cutting the working hours and quite honestly I don't see how we can deliver all the meals we need to in any less time."

But Cheshire County Council has stated service will not be affected.

A spokeswoman said: "We are aware that Sodexho is consulting with a section of its workforce regarding efficiency measures.

"The company has assured us that the service it provides on our behalf, delivering 20,000 hot meals every month to 1000 older people across Cheshire, would be unaffected by any changes."