EVERY pensioner would be given a free bus pass under a Bill to be re-introduced to Parliament by Worcester MP Michael Foster this week.

Mr Foster drew up legislation to end the postcode lottery on pensioners' bus travel last year but the Bill ran out of Parliamentary time.

The Labour MP will present his Bill to Parliament again tomorrow, in a further attempt to secure free bus passes for Worcester's 16,000 pensioners.

Bus users such as Lower Wick resident Lyn Yates said it was "about time" OAPs in Worcester were given financial support to use public transport.

Mr Foster would force the city council to stump up for pensioners' bus travel out of its central Government grant.

Pensioners in Redditch already receive free bus passes.

"I am re-presenting this Bill to Parliament because it is the right thing to do. The postcode lottery of free pensioner bus travel has to stop," he said..

"What is good enough for pensioners in Redditch should be good enough for my constituents in Worcester too.

"The Bill would force local councils to introduce free bus travel, just as the Government has currently insisted on a minimum of half-fare for pensioners.

Mr Foster said the city council was amply funded to cope with the financial cost. He reckons Redditch council receives a Government grant of £68.22 per person, while Worcester receives £73.48.

Widower Lyn Yates, from Columbia Drive, Lower Wick, Worcester, lives with her elderly mother and both rely on public transport.

"A big majority of pensioners don't have cars and we cannot do anything but use the bus," said Mrs Yates.

"It costs £2.40 to get to the city centre from Lower Wick to go shopping and that's expensive when you are living on a pension, and we certainly cannot afford taxis.

"When I lived in Redditch, pensioners received free bus passes and it's about time that happened in Worcester too."