OUTRAGED residents in sheltered housing have hit out at a council, claiming they no longer get the support they need.

Walton’s Mead House is run by Tendring Council, which once employed a full-time warden for the complex.

But residents say they are now left to fend for themselves and do not have the level of support they are paying for.

Mary Collier, 77, who has lived at Mead House for nine years, said: “There is nobody here anymore to help and support us.

“In the past there was always a warden here, but now we are left alone for the majority of the day.

“Now someone comes in for an hour or two each day and people are queued up to see them.

“It should be part of the service but we are not getting it any more. We are being let down."

Mead House is a complex where elderly people can live independently but with support.

Residents are also upset after being told they have to attend a health and safety course before being able to make food for each other or host functions.

A Tendring Council spokesman said: “Where food is being prepared for a number of people then certain precautions need to be taken.

“It is about helping our residents to be able to live their lives independently but also in a safe environment.”

The spokesman also said every effort is made to provide residents with the support they need.

He added: “All residents have a dedicated Sheltered Support Officer who meets regularly with every sheltered resident to discuss their own personal needs and what support they might require.

“However, if one of those residents is not happy with the situation they need to let us know and we will look into the issues they are experiencing.”