BOLTON Council's meals-on-wheels service proudly display their Chartermark after cooking up a successful recipe for service and quality. As reported in Monday night's BEN, the Social Services' community meals service is the first in the North-west to win the prestigious award. The service is a lifeline for 11,000 people in Bolton and provides more than 4,000 meals each week.

The award was been made following a rigorous assessment of the service, which looked at how staff made sure high standards were maintained and how regular contact was made with customers to find out what they thought of the service.

Team members were given a bouquet for their enthusiasm, keenness and giving the best possible service. They were also praised for providing value for money and continually improving services as well as responding quickly to complaints.

"The service is a boon for a lot of people and ensures that customers get a regular hot and nutritious meal and this award is recognition for the high standard of work and quality of the service," said Social Services chairman Cllr Cliff Morris.

"By working together with social workers and the Home Care Service, we give people that bit of extra support to live in their own homes and receive the care they need.

"We regularly ask our customers what improvements they would like and, as a result, we have introduced a weekend and Bank Holiday service and are delivering frozen meals to those who prefer to choose them."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.