THE number of people receiving  help from an emergency support service in Halesowen has fallen by nearly 50 per cent over the last three years.

The news comes in a report which reveals Loaves N Fishes will run Sandwell Council’s Local Welfare Provision scheme for the next four years.

Based on Vicarage Road, the Christian charity will supply desperate families with household appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines.

The project is part of the council’s support service for vulnerable residents who are faced with emergencies and are suffering financial hardship.

The scheme includes other voluntary groups which supply food parcels, fuel and essential household items.

A report to the borough’s cabinet shows the number of people using the service has fallen from 1,192 in 2015 to 629 by March 2018 and the total cost has dropped by £335,403 over the same period.

Council officers say the it is difficult to calculate exactly how much will be spent on the service in the future as costs are fixed to demand  but the expected budget will be approximately £200,000 a year.

The report will now be discussed by councillors at a meeting tomorrow (Wednesday, September 19).