FEARS that Shopmobility fees could treble in the new year to help plug a deficit in the council's budget have been dismissed as a rumour.

The facility, which is located in Priory Square, Salisbury, loans out electric scooters, wheelchairs and other disability aides to assist people in shopping around the city.

Currently, there is a daily flat-rate charge of £1 to hire any piece of equipment, but the council is now reviewing the cost of the service and there are fears that the fee could rise.

Hugh Abel has helped out at Shopmobility as a volunteer, for half a day a week, since he used the service himself following a hip operation in 2001.

He believes the council is planning a substantial increase in the hire rate, which, he says, could be as much as £3 and would "kill the service".

He said: "It's one of the most successful schemes around and here is an attempt to make it into a cost centre.

"I do feel that Friends of Shopmobility, who raise money to buy the equipment, will have to think twice about volunteering and raising funds.

"They do not see their role as raising money to buy the equipment, only for the council then to go and make money from it."

John (57) and Christine Heath (64), of Chestnut Avenue, Tidworth, have been Shopmobility members for almost four years and hire the electric scooters in Salisbury twice a week.

On Tuesdays, they go round the market together and every Thursday they do their weekly shop.

"The people are lovely - they bring the scooters right up to the car and we look forward to our visits," said Christine.

"It gives us a lot of independence.

"Before there was Shopmobility, we were really struggling, not being able to walk round the shops.

"Now it's a lot easier.

"If the price goes up, we might have to cut down from coming twice a week to once a week," she said.

The couple, who live on benefits, have also used the Shopmobility service in Andover, which charges a £2 hire rate.

John said any increase in the Salisbury rates would not stop them using the service.

"If you take out those extra pounds, it really adds up, but if we need it, we need it," said John.

"We shall have to find the money somehow.

"We shall still come but it will make it a lot harder."

A survey to compare Salisbury's Shopmobility rates with similar services around the region has recently been done.

Councillor John Brady, district council representative for Shopmobility, said he had met Friends of Shopmobility and prepared a report for the district council.

"At this moment, there are no planned increases - a decision will be taken towards the end of January," he said.

"I support Shopmobility 100 per cent.

"I think it's unlikely the charges will go up but it's not my decision.

"It's a flagship service and one I consider extremely valuable to the community.

"It brings people into Salisbury, it's highly praised and, quite frankly, we don't want to mess with it - but as part of our brief, we have to look at every service that council money goes on."

Salisbury district councillor and portfolio holder Dennis Brown dismissed claims that fees would increase as "a rumour".

He said: "We review the fees and charges every year.

"It is all part of the budget consideration.

"Looking at fees and charges, we have to be fair across the board.

"It is just one of the things that the council is looking

at."