SIR - I feel we are paying too much for our bus fares to and from Worcester, especially when it comes to paying for children as well.

I only use the buses when I am pushed for time, otherwise I usually walk wherever I want to go or drive to long distances.

On this occasion I decided to take my daughter for a treat to Malvern in the school holiday on the bus to see my parents. I was surprised when I was charged almost the same amount as an adult's fare for a child. I was charged £3.50 for a child and £3.70 for an adult - which I thought was ridiculous.

I commented about it to the driver who kindly checked it for me and it was correct. A child's fare should be half the amount of an adults fare.

On another occasion when I caught a bus from the Bullring in St John's, Worcester, with my child, I was charged two adult fares for a return ticket to Warndon where I was visiting friends.

This cost me £6 for both of us, apparently they don't do child's return fares. I later found out if I walked into the city centre or caught the bus and paid single fares (£1 adult and 65p child) I could have caught a park-and-ride bus costing me £2 and my child would have travelled free.

Why are they all so expensive?

MRS EC BLOMFIELD, Worcester.