HAMPSHIRE County Council is in line for a national catering award for its Meals on Wheels service.

The authority has been shortlisted for a National Association of Care Catering award after launching its Meals on Wheels service last year.

It provides hot twocourse meals for people over the age of 55 across the county who struggle to shop or cook for themselves.

The Meals on Wheels service also offers a new afternoon tea service which includes a savoury pastry, a sandwich, cake, fruit and juice.

Council bosses have also introduced a volunteerrun Food and Friendship Meals Support Service to provide vital social contact and enable older people to remain independent in their own homes.

Councillor Liz Fairhurst, executive member for adult social care and public health, said: “Meals on Wheels is a vital service supporting a variety of people, whether they are finding it difficult to cook for themselves, have just come out of hospital, are having trouble getting out to the shops or perhaps have a carer who needs a break from cooking.

“Meals on Wheels is just one of the services coordinated by the county council’s Older People’s Wellbeing team to support Hampshire’s older people to live independently for longer.”

For more information on the service, call 01962 779338 or complete an online application form at hants.gov.uk/meals-onwheels.