Last updated at 13:06, Friday, 22 February 2013

A Workington delicatessen has started to offer a meals on wheels service for the elderly.

SHEILA’S WHEELS: Sheila Earl, delivery driver for Workington’s Downton Deli, serves hot food to Isabella Craig, 96

Downtown Deli, on Falcon Place, delivers hot meals to people around Workington.

Isabella Craig, 96, of North Watt Street, is one of the deli’s clients.

Her daughter-in-law Joan Sharpe asked Downtown Deli staff if they would deliver a hot lunchtime meal to Mrs Craig as she was housebound and struggling to cook for herself.

She said: “I can’t cook and I get a big meal for my lunch and dinner delivered. The food is excellent.”

Word about the service has spread and eight people now get their food delivered.

Sheila Earl, 55, delivery driver, said: “It’s all home made and there is something different every day. I enjoy going to see the people.”

Meals cost £3 per day and include a hot meal and pudding. Anyone interested in receiving meals on wheels can call the deli on 01900 63025.

Downtown Deli will also soon operate as a hot food takeaway at night, creating four jobs.

It currently runs as a daytime deli until 2pm but owner Christian Robertson wants to open from 5pm to 11pm as DFC – Downtown Fried Chicken.

He will hold a public taster session soon to get menu feedback and will ask for donations to the Rainbow Trust in memory of four-year-old Isla Holliday, of Seaton, who died of a rare genetic disease last November. He hopes to open in the next few weeks.

First published at 13:02, Friday, 22 February 2013
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk