A MEALS on wheels service providing vital food for elderly and vulnerable people has been applauded for carrying on against the odds after losing 90 per cent of its volunteers when the lockdown began.

Bedale Community Meals on Wheels were told over 70's would not be allowed to work. The service has been taking meals to residents in need across the town and nearby villages for five years.

But when the lockdown was announced they had to put out an emergency appeal for volunteers. Most of their drivers and cooks had to stay at home because the group was told they were not allowed to use anyone aged over 70.

Organiser Diane Hosking, who is 66, was left with a huge headache not knowing if they would be able to keep the service going. She said: "It was an extraordinarily difficult time.

"I was told on the Tuesday we couldn’t use any volunteers over 70 and that meant losing 90 per cent of our helpers, and we still had to get the meals out on Wednesday. It was really daunting because we didn't know which way to turn initially.

"We still had a few drivers but nearly all the kitchen volunteers couldn’t help.

"So we put out an appeal through social media and so many people came forward, some had ended up not working, so in the end we were inundated and that was brilliant, it was such a relief because it meant we could keep the service going.

"We have special procedures in the kitchen at the Chantry Hall and it works very well.

"It was amazing the way people came forward and local companies have fallen over backwards to help; Asquith’s Butchers, the Food Weighouse and Carricks fruit and vegetables have all been amazing in supporting us.

"But Bedale is that kind of community, people try and rally round when help is needed and it certainly worked out for us."

Chairman of Bedale Community Meals on Wheels John Gill, who has been unable to help during the lockdown because of the restrictions, said they have done astonishingly well to keep going.

"A lot of our clients are extremely vulnerable and we needed to ensure they are fed during this very tough time. It was so important that we carried on," he said.

"However, our volunteers are extremely important to us as well and we needed to ensure they all remained safe too.

" So they have done really well to keep going. It obviously was touch and go at first but the support from the community was wonderful. I believe we are the only volunteer meals on wheels group that has carried on operating in the area over the lockdown period.

"We deliver up to 33 meals each day on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We offer a two course meal for only £5 and after factoring in free meals throughout the year, the actual cost to our regular clients is about £3.30 per meal.

"I think that’s pretty good value and something we can all be justifiably proud of," added Mr Gill.