Staff at Amman Valley Hospital have launched a scathing attack on the county council following proposals to downgrade services at the unit.

The onslaught came as the authority announced that it was considering transferring the provision of its Meals on Wheels service to the recently-re-opened Cwmaman Day Centre.

Workers at the hospital have slammed the plans, claiming that the loss would be a stepping stone to the further reduction of services and the eventual closure of the hospital itself.

One concerned long-term staff member, who asked not to be named for fear of losing her job, said hospital workers had been left truly baffled' by the stealing away of services'.

The staff member said that co-workers predicted a trail of destruction' that would ultimately end in the closing of the hospital completely.

"If a smaller hospital loses some of its services - especially those providing some income such as Meals on Wheels - then senior managers are much more likely to be faced with a decision to close it as it will end up losing money," said the worker.

"A local hospital which has had its services taken away from it does not make good reading to higher Trust managers when faced with the decision of which smaller hospital to close."

The worker described the transfer of services to the day centre as robbing Peter to pay Paul', adding that such a move would never be a long-term solution for the needs of the community.

Carmarthenshire Council's community services supervisor Emma Baker said: "We are looking at the possible reopening of the Cwmaman Day Centre kitchen.

"If that does happen there is a possibility that we will be focusing on that for the provision of Meals on Wheels in the area."