Members of the Campaign Against Charges (CAC) group staged the demonstration to emphasise their disgust at the local authority's controversial changes to home care charges.

The full Council meeting was interrupted by loud chanting, as the group chained themselves to the public gallery of the Council chamber, blocked the exits with wheelchairs and waved placards.

Provost Frances Melville decided to adjourn the meeting and police were called after the demonstrators refused to leave the room.

After extensive discussions, the meeting was abandoned but no action was taken against the group.

CAC member Maureen Closs wants the local authority to reveal how many people have been assessed for the charges, how long the process will take and when the bills will come out.

However, since Thursday, Council officials agreed to meet the group and release a briefing statement to elected members.

She said: "It's a sad day, when we had to go to these lengths just to be kept in the loop but it's not just us and councillors who should receive the briefing – every person who is involved in the home care services should receive the same information.

''They shouldn't have to rely on CAC forcing information from officers via the press."

According to her, the only official information people have received from the Council was full of inaccuracies and the revised leaflet was only handed out at the public meeting held in February.

Leader of the administration Peter Grant believes their behaviour was disappointing.

He said: "There was some great examples at Thursday's meeting of people who were able to dispute with each other in a manner which is appropriate.

"Some people aren't prepared to accept democracy doesn't mean you get your own way all the time."

Mr Grant also stressed that more people than ever are getting more hours of home care than before.

Labour social work spokesman Mark Hood believes satisfactory answers have not been given.

He understands the frustration of the campaigners and said the Council do not appear to be in control of the process.

Following the meeting, deputy leader Elizabeth Riches commended the Council officers for dealing with the protest and stated the assessments are being carried out gradually before the results are scrutinised by the social work committee.