AN angry councillor has hit out at county council bosses for trying to cut a vital meals on wheels service for the elderly ... while scoffing free meals at County Hall.

A price hike for daily meals, from £3.95 to £4.79, could be implemented if Essex County Council decides to withdraw its subsidy.

The Tory-run Essex County Council has started a consultation with the 1,003 users of the hot food service.

The move would mean the council would no longer subsidise the service, leaving some vulnerable elderly residents £220 a year worse off.

But it comes as a Freedom of Information request revealed in the past two years £68,549 has been spent handing free meals to councillors at County Hall.

Ivan Henderson, county councillor and leader of Tendring Council’s opposition Labour’s group, said: “This is happening at a time when cabinet members making these decisions are here in County Hall almost every day, eating free meals."

The consultation will run until July 7.