SOME of the most frail and vulnerable members of the community in Bromsgrove are concerned for their future safety and well-being if they lose the services of wardens who care for them.

Tenants in Crabtree Court, Sidemoor, one of two homes for the elderly in Bromsgrove deemed 'very sheltered' due to its round the clock warden service, have discovered that this may be cut leaving them without a warden from 5pm to 8am.

This has come as a major blow to the tenants, many of whom are aged over 80, and their families particularly as they claim their landlord, Bromsgrove District Housing Trust (BDHT), has attempted to keep the information under wraps.

Several tenants and their families contacted the Advertiser/Messenger this week to complain, but none agreed to be named. We in turn spoke to some tenants' relatives who all said it was news to them.

One said: "It is disgraceful we have to learn about this from the local newspaper. I believe it will be detrimental to their well-being and security. My father had not been informed of any impending major changes, neither have I and I look after all his affairs.

"If the wardens leave at 5pm then the whole concept of very sheltered accommodation is flawed.

"Who will be on hand to summon or let in a doctor and prevent yobs conning their way into the complex or summoning help if the power fails?"

One elderly tenant said: "It is a great comfort to us and our families to know we are safe and help is a the end of the corridor if we need it."

At present many tenants pay £47.85 a week for warden support on top of £44.21 rent.

Crabtree Court opened to a fanfare of praise and publicity in the late 1980s. BDHT was launched in 2004 when it took over responsibility for the district council's 3,200 homes. Then the promise was nothing would change

BDHT spokesman Tony Lowry said he plans to talk to tenants today (Wednesday) at a meeting organised by them. He said proposals have been suggested following an extensive consultation exercise to introduce changes to the warden service, but stressed no decisions have been made.

"But one idea being put to residents is to use an emergency lifeline service from 5pm to 8am. If this were introduced tenants paying full charges for the service would see a reduction in their rents," he said.