ELDERLY people in sheltered accommodation still fear their warden service could be cut, despite reassurances from Oxfordshire County Council.

Almost 50 residents and relatives of people living at Field House, in West Way, Botley, quesitoned a senior council officer about changes to support services for vulnerable people at a meeting yesterday.

Residents have been campaiging for daily face-to-face contact with a warden to remain indefinitely, which they said was essential to their happiness and security.

Nick Welch, the council’s head of major programmes, said support services would become more “targeted” to reduce inefficiencies as a result of cuts in funding.

He said: “In some parts of the county, some people won’t get the support services, unless their needs indicate they need it.”

Mr Welch told residents and Oxford West & Abingdon MP Dr Evan Harris, who was at the meeting, that it was “likely” the same level of service would remain at Field House, because the need was higher.

While some tenants in sheltered accommodation may lose their wardens if they are judged to be unnecessary, the 24-hour alarm service would remain.

Changes to the support services will be made between March and September next year.

Olive Hockley, 80, who has lived in Botley for eight years, said: “I think the wardens will still go, with what they’re proposing, because of the budget cut .”