THE meals on wheels service run by Age Concern in the Forest of Dean looks certain to be saved.
Forest of Dean district councillors met Age Concern officials on Tuesday to discuss their funding needs and the matter will be discussed as an urgent item at the full meeting of the council this Thursday.
"It is highly unlikely the meals on wheels service will be allowed to fail," the council's community development officer, Phil Jones, told the Review this week.
The service operates from kitchens at Cinderford's Enterprise Centre and provides around 100 elderly Forest people with a daily three course meal.
But it was in danger of closing next month because of a funding shortfall.
Age Concern's Pauline Matthews said there had been a huge response to the Review's story last week that the service could be withdrawn.
"People have offered us tremendous support. We have received donations of over £300 and several groups are organising events on our behalf. I also understand the district council is discussing funding and we hope they will put in place a system that means we do not find ourselves in this position again," she said.
Mr Jones said senior councillors had already raised the matter with council officials.
"They are full aware of the difficult situation Age Concern is in. I feel sure that this valuable service is recognised and the matter will be discussed in detail on Thursday," he said.
Meanwhile local MP Diana Organ has opened the new Age Concern shop in Cinderford's Market Street.
"It's a valuable fund-raiser for us and we hope it will be a huge success," said Pauline.