For people with savings of more than £21,000 - about one in five of clients - the cost for day care has risen from £5.30 to £12.50.

In some cases, a week of residential care has risen from £240 to £550.

The council says the means-test is in line with government guidelines and to reduce a £15m shortfall in funding.

'Every sympathy'

Margo Swift, a carer for her husband Ken, said: "It penalises people who have been brought up to save money and do a bit of scrimping so they have a nest egg."

John Rawlinson, the council's executive member for adult social services, said: "I have every sympathy for her.

"It does seem we are penalising people for scrimping and saving and people who haven't saved are getting the service free.

"I really don't know how you resolve this dilemma."