Residents of a sheltered housing scheme in Stockwood have started a petition to try to have their live-in warden service reinstated.

They are angry that operators Brunelcare appear to be about to replace such wardens across all their Bristol schemes with a mobile care service.

They feel only a resident warden – full-time, as the position was until recently, or part-time – can be properly responsive to tenants' needs.

Residents in the 30 flats at Linden Close, off Stockwood Road, have signed a petition, drawing attention to their plight.

One of the leading campaigners, retired builder Tony Coles, 68, who lives at Linden Close with his wife Brenda, said: "Our present warden, Lorraine, like all her predecessors, is very good.

"Being on the spot means she can immediately let Brunelcare know if repairs are needed. She helps put on meals or run coffee mornings.

"And she does a call-round every morning to see how well everyone got through the night. If anyone needs a doctor or to call an ambulance, she will deal with it."

Mr Coles said many of the tenants were in their 80s and one was 102. They paid for a warden through their rents – £120 a week, including charges, in Mr and Mrs Coles' case – and were entitled to expect such a service, he said.

Instead, says the petition: "Brunelcare plan to replace the resident wardens with casual mobile carers whose record of attendance and care in other organisations has been proved not to match the care given by resident wardens."

Mr Coles said this referred to the experience of contacts in other care organisations.

Allan Mills, 76, another of the tenants, said: "Lorraine is wonderful. We have several people here suffering from cancer and one woman who recently went temporarily blind.

"Lorraine is only part-time but she has helped them all. Her husband helps, too, even though he isn't even employed by Brunelcare.

"People came here because it was advertised as having a warden on site. That's their security.

"A mobile carer will come out from Stoke Bishop, or Westbury or Patchway, or wherever and they will not be able to spend the time here.

"The fear is they won't be able to deal with problems. We do have an alarm system, where the police or a relative, for instance, is called, but it does mean delays.

"We would like to have a warden who in emergencies can get to us straightaway."

But a Brunelcare spokeswoman said the charity was reviewing services as a result of "central funding issues". This is likely to mean budget-tightening by the government and local councils, which commission services.

The spokeswoman said: "The review is still in the early stages and no decisions have been made concerning any of the 23 sites across the city.

"Tenants have been consulted on this matter, with each individual receiving a letter and questionnaire explaining the situation and asking for their feedback.

"The charity also invited tenants to volunteer to become representatives.

"So far 20 tenant representatives have also been appointed and will meet with Brunelcare's housing team on a monthly basis to discuss the situation.

"Staff and union representatives are also being consulted on a continuous basis to ensure that any decisions made are made on an informed basis and cause minimum disruption or distress to all parties involved.

"At the heart of this review is the need to maintain the level of service provided to tenants but in a more sustainable and affordable way.

"In certain cases this may mean exploring alternative ways of providing care and support to tenants.

"Many of Brunelcare's sheltered housing sites already operate without live-in wardens at the request of tenants – who have the peace of mind of knowing that help is on hand if and when needed.

"Brunelcare did receive a petition letter addressed to the trustees and management of the charity this morning (Feb 10) and take the concerns of tenants very seriously.

"We will be responding shortly and will be looking to arrange meetings to discuss the situation further and communicate any potential changes, if and when decisions are made.

"The happiness and wellbeing of Brunelcare tenants is paramount to the organisation's ethos of promoting dignity, independence and quality of life in older age.

"Brunelcare has an intensive staff training programme and places a great deal of value on the skills of the people it employs.

"If a decision is made to move away from resident wardens within sheltered housing schemes, Brunelcare will work very hard with any affected staff to secure their skills and experience within the organisation."