More volunteers are wanted at a Shropshire service that provides a lifeline to sick, elderly and disabled people.

Meals on Wheels, which provides hot food to dozens of vulnerable people every week, needs more people in Ellesmere, Whitchurch and Oswestry.

The service also needs an organiser to head the operation in Ellesmere.

Volunteer recruiter Kevin O’Dwyer said the main shortage is in Ellesmere, where at least six more people are needed.

He has called an emergency meeting in the town on Friday.

Mr O’Dwyer said the scheme provides a hot lunchtime meal to more than 20 people on three days a week, with two volunteers working on each day

He said a minimum of 30 volunteers were needed.

“We need to increase the scheme in that area to be fully fledged and fully operational,” he said.

“Six extra people is the minimum target we would be looking at getting, to keep things ticking over smoothly, fairly and evenly.”

The scheme caters for people who cannot cook for themselves, and provides a means of ensuring elderly people are safe and well in their homes. Mr O’Dwyer said: “It’s a very important service to the community.”

The meeting is at the Comrades Club at 11am. For details call Barry Sheppard on (01743) 356919.