THE family of an elderly Andover resident who relies on meals on wheels have complained after the price has more than doubled. 

Derek Jerrard has been living at Lion Oak Court, an extra care residential scheme, since March, and received cooked meals since then. 

The cost of the meal per day was originally £4.50 but in recent months that has now shot up to £9.50. 

Derek's daughter Samantha Chalk said: "It gave us as the family real peace of mind knowing that he was having a proper, warm meal and pudding each day, and he really enjoys the meals too."

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In April, the family received a letter from All Care Ltd, which provides the service, about the price increase.

The letter read: "We are writing to inform you with due notice that from and including April 1 2023 we will be increasing the price of meals to £9.50. We value your ongoing custom and look forward to our continuing service.

Samantha said that the more than 100 per cent increase has more than doubled Derek's monthly food bill and has left the family questioning whether they can afford to continue paying for the meals.

Samantha said: "Having this meal each day is a huge part of my dad's routine, and it seems wrong they've increased the price so significantly in such a short space of time. 

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"He gets to go down and have food with a few of the other residents in the home and said if it wasn't for the meals he would feel lonely, which is heartbreaking as it has become so expensive that it will be difficult to continue paying, not only for us but many other elderly and vulnerable people using the service. 

"It just seems really unfair."

The Advertiser has contacted All Care Ltd for comment but has yet to receive a reply.