A TOTAL of 45 jobs could be lost after a council cut a service designed to help disabled, elderly and vulnerable people.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has stopped paying £683,000 for a Homecall service provided by housing association Coast and Country to help people live independently.

Public sector union Unison says the cutback amounts to only £4.20 per person per week as the service helps 7,500 people.

Unison said the Telecare operators and wardens answer 88,000 calls a year and make 2,500 emergency visits annually.

In a typical year, Coast and Country's Homecall service is the first point of contact and emergency responder to 620 incidents of life-threatening falls by elderly and other vulnerable people.

The service is due to end on June 30.

People who are particularlyfrail who receive the Homecall Plus service, which offers extra care, have already received letters from the council. Basic Homecall users will receive letters in the coming days.

Duncan Rothwell, regional organiser for Unison, said: "It seems very necessary for the council to rethink their decision, which will strip protection away from those most in need."

A spokesman for Coast and Country Housing explained Homecall was a company owned by Coast and Country and said: "Decisions of this nature are entirely for the local authority to make.

"We have talked to our staffand 45 people have been placed at risk of redundancy.

"This service provides a valuable lifeline for several thousand elderly and vulnerable people.

"We have been working closely with the council for some time to consider various options and we are more than keen to continue with this work.

"We would urge the council to reconsider its decision."

Councillor Sheelagh Clarke, the authority's cabinetmember for health and social well-being, said: "The extent of the financial challenges facing the council as a result of Government cuts means that, unfortunately, we have to look at every possible option for making savings.

"Paying for this service costs the authority more than £683,000 a year and, following a thorough review, we have concluded that we are unable to carry on subsidising the alarm service for so many people from the end of June.

"The council will continue to provide assistance to those clients who need an alarm to meet their assessed needs."