PENSIONERS have been left “outraged” after being told vulnerable meals on wheels users must fork out an extra 25p a day from November.

Essex County Council bosses have ditched plans to axe the meals on wheels subsidy after a public consultation.

But more than 1,000 residents who use the service will be forced to pay 25p extra per meal – £65 a year for those who have five meals a week.

Michael Le Cornu, chairman of the Tendring Pensioners’ Action Group, said: "We are against any cuts to the subsidy whatsoever."