MORE than 100 protesters packed into Wychavon's Civic Centre to show their anger at the end of the concessionary fare scheme.

The pensioners protested at the new scheme, which was ratified by Wychavon District Council last Tuesday.

The vote means an end to the car parking tickets and travel tokens which gave concessionary fares for the elderly. The tokens will now only be available to the over 80s and the registered disabled.

District and town councillor Peter Pinfield (Lab-East) said: "I am bitterly disappointed that Wychavon's controlling group has clearly made a political decision to ignore the strong feeling amongst the elderly.

"The forums for elderly people have been set up by the Government so their voice can be heard and listened to. The forums are non- party political and the meeting was a slap in the face for the elderly."

District and town councillor (Lib Dem-Central) Graham Gopsill urged all those who did not already have a half price concessionary fare ticket to apply before the end of March when the system changes.

But council leader, Martin Jennings (Con-Bengeworth) said: "Cutting concessionary fares has come up as a hot subject but we believe that, in order to maintain a low increase in council tax, something has to change.

"We see headlines about the treatment of pensioners but very little mention of the fact that we intend to increase our council tax by only 2.5 per cent."

Cllr Andrew-Christian Brookes (Con-Lovett/North Claines), chairman of the concessionary fare panel, blamed rising costs from central Government and pointed out that Wychavon was a rare authority in providing travel tickets and tokens

Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member for environment and sustainability, Cllr Alwyn Davies, assured the public the situation would soon be clarified.

"These services affecting Droitwich are in a tendering process, which means that operators will be telling us what they can do, how much it will cost and how much subsidy they would need from us?, " he said.

"If public transport services are reduced it doesn't mean that bus users will be left high and dry."

He added that Worcestershire have long-term plans to develop "demand-responsive services" and stressed that a regular shuttle runs from Worcester City Bus Station to the Worcestershire Royal Hospital - if the operator decides to change any direct route.