SIR - I find myself somewhat confused with regard to concessionary travel for pensioners.

At the time of the Chancellor's announcement I, among others, thought that pensioners would be offered "free" travel within city boundaries. According to reports in the newspapers this is not so. It now appears that we are being offered a "free" bus pass that will entitle pensioners to "half price travel". Half price travel fares in some cases will exceed the current concessionary fare. Have I misinterpreted the newspaper reports?

I am also mystified why Worcester cannot afford this concession for pensioners. I have relatives in other parts of England, who have "free" passes which mean "free", and which entitles them to travel to a wide variety of areas outside their town of residence. Surely if there is to be a concession it should be nationwide and not dependent on where you live? With regard to the cost, Worcestershire has been granted the sum of £2m pounds from Central Government to assist older people to healthier lives. I would suggest that some of this money could be used to enable the elderly to get out and about, or perhaps the council would prefer the elderly to walk to achieve to Government's aim.

C PENZER,

Worcester.