A trade union says a council run meals on wheels service is under threat.

Waltham Forest council currently delivers more than 1400 hot meals to elderly residents every week.

But Dave Knight, branch secretary of UNISON in Waltham Forest, says the local authority is planning to close the service.

He says pensioners will be offered meals by catering giants Sodexho or frozen food specialists Wiltshire Foods and also claims that supermarket deliveries are being considered as an alternative.

He added: “The loss of the Meals on Wheels Service as provided by Waltham Forest Council is a serious attack on the vulnerable and elderly people of the borough.

“The service provided by the Council workforce is not just about meals but is also about providing daily contact and keeping a caring and watchful eye on the Council’s most vulnerable residents.

“Many of the workers have formed caring relationships with the residents they serve which we believe will not be matched by any future providers.”

Last year Cllr Angie Bean, Cabinet member for Adult Services, hailed Waltham Forest’s meals on wheels team.

Speaking in July 2012, she said: “The Meals on Wheels team provide a vital service to some of the borough’s most vulnerable residents and deliver nutritious hot lunches to people who otherwise may not get to eat a proper meal.

“Sometimes the drivers are the only contact that housebound people might have with the outside world.”

UNISON says it believes 16, mainly part-time jobs are at threat from the changes which it expects to come into force in September.

Mr Knight said: "There are five catering assistans and two cooks who will probably be allocated jobs elsewhere.

"But the nine driver delivery assistants who are the ones who really get to know the people will probably be out of a job."

The Guardian has asked Waltham Forest Council for clarification on UNISON’s claims and attempted to contact Cllr Bean.