HUNDREDS of housebound people on Wearside are celebrating National Meals on Wheels Week, which takes place this week.

Since taking over from Age Concern in 1999, Sunderland Social Services has expanded the service, which is now available to 987 regular customers 365 days a year.

Elaine Fraser, development officer, said: "The service is based on assessed need and available to people living alone or with someone with special needs who doesn't have any other means of support and who is unable to prepare a hot and nutritious meal themselves.

"There are obviously the good, old-fashioned meals everyone knows but there is also a huge variation of menus during a 22 day rotation period.

"We can even provide ethnic food, with arrangements for Halal and Kosher meals with specialist local suppliers."