THOUSANDS of pensioners and disabled people living in sheltered accommodation could lose their wardens as part of moves to cut costs, it was feared last night.

The Oxford Mail has discovered some tenants have already been told they will lose the service, while one warden claimed his job was on the line.

Currently wardens, employed by housing associations and district councils routinely visit residents at their homes.

Oxfordshire County Council said last night it had not yet decided if this would change.

Janice Dougan, 71, of St John’s Court, in Grove, near Wantage, said: “We have four or five wardens, who come in and make sure we are okay.

“I would miss it if they were not there. We rely on them dropping in.”

Gerry Webb, 64, a tenant at Frys Court, in Greater Leys, Oxford, and chairman of Blackbird Leys Parish Council, said: “I have no doubt the warden service will be lost.”

Age Concern Oxfordshire said it knew changes to the warden system were in the pipeline.

Andrew Smith, the Labour MP for Oxford East, said: “This is just the sort of service which enables people to stay in their own homes. It’s a cost-cutting measure which will turn out to be a false economy in the longer term, as well as giving a poorer service.”

The county council would not comment on what changes would be made, or whether it was down to cuts in funding.

But the Oxford Mail has seen a letter given to a warden by a housing association employer, which claimed the shake-up would allow the county council to “save money”.

The warden, who declined to be named, said: “It’s going to affect lots of elderly people all over Oxfordshire – and they don’t want change at this time in their lives.

“We’ve been seeing these people regularly for the last 17 years and now they are going to get a new face they don’t know.

“For some who have no family, we can be their only contact.

“The service that will replace us will be shoddy and second class.”

A county council spokes-man said: “A tendering process is currently in its early stages and no decisions on who will be providing future services have yet been made. We are seeking good quality independent providers.”

Jonathon Keen, 57, is one of 27 residents living at Queen Emma’s Dyke sheltered housing scheme in Corn Street, Witney.

He said: “We’ve been told we are going to lose our warden and we’re not happy. It’s a bit frightening. The new service won’t be as good.”

l Are you worried about the future of wardens at the county’s sheltered accommodation? If so, call the newsdesk on 01865 425445.

eallen@oxfordmail.co.uk