A leading Shropshire senior citizens campaigner today said plans to give elderly people the chance to have hot dinners alongside pupils at county schools were already winning the approval of school leaders.

John Dodson, chairman of Shropshire Senior Citizen Forums, who has been heavily involved with drawing up the plans along with partners including a council task group, said he had been suggesting the idea for years.

And he said he has already been in contact with senior officials in the school community who said they were “enthusiastic” about the proposed scheme.

Mr Dodson said: “It was the association that pushed for the task and finish group to be set up because of our concerns, and inevitably we did make a major contribution.

“The observation about using council vehicles to get senior citizens to a venue is a subject I have been raising for at least a couple of years and I have repeatedly suggested that the council could place individual buses in their depots around the county so they could be used for this purpose and for other purposes by other organisation.

“It would be a good use of assets.

“I have been in contact with the person who manages some county schools kitchens and so far one head teacher – both were enthusiastic.”

A Shropshire Council task group has been carrying out a review of the county’s Meals on Wheels service, which provides meals to elderly and vulnerable people.

The use of school kitchens to provide meals instead has been suggested in a bid to reduce costs and improve the service, which provides hot and frozen meals.

Council chiefs have stressed those who are incapacitated will continue to have meals delivered, with the proposed changes freeing up more time for volunteer drivers to spend more time with those who still need a home service.

Councillor Keith Barrow, Shropshire Council leader, has said the plans could revolutionise the Meals on Wheels Service and also enhance the quality of life of older people.

The report will be presented to Wednesday’s meeting of the council’s cabinet, where councillors will be asked to consider the recommendations of the task group.

In Shropshire, Meals on Wheels services are delivered to about 1,500 people each week through a variety of agencies and involve a number of other volunteers and other agencies.