From Michaila Hill, Exeter 382535, October 06,2008

Devon is celebrating over 60 years of meals on wheels with a themed week of competitions, prizes, and a celebrity delivery driver.

Meal providers apetito, commissioned by Devon County Council to provide hot and frozen meals across Devon, has planned the countywide celebrations based on memories of yesteryear.

This year's celebrations include celebrity chef Paul Da-Costa-Greaves delivering meals, and visits to schools and goody bags for the all the customers.

Customers have also been invited to enter a competition to win either a meal or day out to remember. Entrants were asked to explain why they would like to win a prize and three winners have been chosen from across the county. Details of the winners below.

Since taking the Council's contract in 2006, apetito has grown the meals service significantly and is now delivering over a quarter of a million meals a year. Regular customer feedback indicates high levels of satisfaction with the range of meals and quality of the service provided.

Councillor Hugo Barton, Devon County Council's Executive Member for Adult and Community Services, said: "A regular meals service is vitally important because it helps people continue to live in their own homes .Having a well balanced nutritious meal delivered enables people to remain as independent and healthy for as long as possible.    

"With apetito, the meals service is expanding well, with a considerable rise in the number of people using the service. Feedback we're getting from people who receive meals is very complementary, and despite the number of meals provided growing significantly, it remains a very personal service that is adaptable to everyone's individual needs."

During Meals on Wheels Week, 6 to 12 October 2008, there are events across the three apetito delivery areas:

Across Devon

Goody bags will be delivered to all customers with their meals. The bags include a quiz, a commemorative tea towel and card.

In Exeter, Mid and East Devon

Competition winners.

Mr Henley from Exeter, chose a meal out with his son at the Red House Hotel. Mrs Hayes from Collompton chose a day out at Powderham Castle. Photo opportunity Wednesday 15 October at 12noon. Please contact Media and Public Relations for more information.

Celebrity chef Paul Da-Costa-Greaves will be delivering an Apetito meal to a Exeter residents Mr and Mrs Cogan. Photo and interview opportunity at 12noon on Tuesday 7 October. Address details available from Media and Public Relations.

Cullomption School visit

Apetito's Driver Supervisor, Mike Drew is visiting Cullomption Primary school. Photo opportunity at 11am on Wednesday 8 October.

Mike will be speaking to children about the meals service, explaining how it works, and showing them one of their vans that cooks meals enroute to their destinations.

In North Devon and Torridge:

Competition winner - Mrs Martin from Instow, chose to visit RHS Rosemoor Garden. Photo opportunity Thursday 9 October at 11.30am at RHS Rosemoor. Please contact Media and Public Relations for more information.

School visit

Apetito's Devon Contract Manager, Alison Marsden is visiting Appledore Primary school. Photo opportunity at 2pm on Wednesday 8 October.

Alison will be speaking to children about the meals service, explaining how it works, and showing them one of their vans that cooks meals enroute to their destinations.

In South Hams:

Competition winner - Mrs Betsy Mitchell from Kingsteignton, chose a meal with her daughter at the Nobody Inn in Doddiscombsleigh.

Tuesday 7 October

Celebrity chef Paul Da-Costa-Greaves will be delivering an apetito meal to Marldon resident Edith Robinson. Photo and interview opportunity at 1pm. Address details available from Media and Public Relations.

In Teignbridge:

School visit

Apetito's Driver Supervisor, Mike Drew is visiting Haytor View Primary school, Newton Abbott. Photo opportunity at 2pm on Friday 10 October.

Mike will be speaking to children about the meals service, explaining how it works, and showing them one of their vans that cooks meals enroute to their destinations.

Notes to editors

For more information contact Media and Public Relations on 01392 382535

Councillor Hugo Barton on 01805 624768

Apetito's Devon Contract Manager, Alison Marsden can be contacted on 01392 824822