No-nosense elderly residents staged a sit-down protest over the 'terrible' quality of the food.

The protesting OAPs at Hurst Meadows in Ashton under Lyne decided not to budge from the lounge when it came to meal times.

Staff at the block of 40 sheltered housing flats have been dishing up a three-course cooked meal for residents every day - a service which was welcomed until last year.

But the pensioners decided enough was enough when the quality of the food went off and claimed despite complaining to managers Hanover Housing Group nothing was done.

Some ended up buying in their own supplies – despite paying up front for the provided food – and one woman even took a taxi to eat out every day.

But now, after the last straw lounge sit-down protests, Hanover bosses have put their heads together with the residents and agreed to find new caterers.

Frank Saxon, 71, moved into the Vicarage Crescent flats 18 months ago and said the food had become so bad, he ended up paying for a private firm to deliver his meals. "We are obliged to pay whether we eat it or not and it's terrible," he said.

Gruel

"The meat is never cooked properly, it's always tough, and the vegetables are frequently cold. The soup is just like gruel, like lots of vegetables floating in water.

"If you are unavailable for lunch you can order sandwiches but they frequently forget to put them out and we never get any money back.

"I stopped going there a month ago, I have my meals brought in," he added.

"I pay extra but I just couldn't take the food any more and some people stopped before that. One lady pays £12 in a taxi every day to go and eat at a community centre.

"Some make their own arrangements but there are people who can't and it's just excuse after excuse."

A spokesman for Hanover said: "Following extensive discussions with both residents and the catering provider, it has been mutually agreed that the contract will cease.

"Hanover values the views of its residents and is working with them to help choose a new provider."