PENSIONERS had their Jubilee weekend ruined by the unwillingness of a bus company to provide services for them, claims a councillor.

John Cook, Droitwich Town Council's spokesman for transport, said he had been inundated with complaints from people unable to attend get togethers at the Royal British Legion, as well as other events in the town due to a lack of services by First Midland Red.

"There were many pensioners who enjoyed watching the Jubilee celebrations on television, but many more besides who wanted to get out and celebrate the Golden Jubilee," he said.

"I just don't know why First Midland Red doesn't try to be more helpful.

"Some people said they felt like prisoners and they wanted to get out and enjoy the celebrations, but could not do so."

Mr Cook said he had mainly received complaints from ex-servicemen who could not get out and about to meet friends.

"There are people who fought for this country and they wanted to take their part in a great celebration, a celebration many of them will never get the chance to repeat."

Hourly

He said there were no services for the three days from Sunday to Tuesday, but he believed an hourly service should have been provided.

Austin Birks, spokesman for First Midland Red, said Mr Cook should have contacted the company before the Jubilee to discover its standpoint.

"It is more than a fortnight after the event and to turn round now and make these points is unfortunate," he said.

"We consulted with Worcestershire County Council about services and it just was not commercially viable.

"There were no schools, shops or businesses open, so what is the point of having buses running around every 20 minutes with no one on them?"

He added that First Midland Red's Bank Holiday service was in line with all other bus firms across the country.