An angry grandmother has told how she fears being left high and dry if Colchester Council pushes ahead with a hefty rise in the cost of pensioners' bus passes.

From April 1 the price of fare paid bus passes for pensioners is set to rise from £94 to £142.

And retired nurse June Wilmerson, 69, of Dewberry Close, Colchester, fears the rise will leave many elderly people in Colchester house-bound with no option but to stay at home.

And having learned of the rise she now plans to launch a petition against the price increase.

"They are taking away from a lot of us a lot of pleasure and freedom. I wouldn't be able to go out swimming and I wouldn't be able to go out with my five grandchildren."

She said although the half fare ticket the council offers might be the only answer she was still not happy about it adding: "When you get older you feel very vulnerable where your purse is concerned.

"And if you have to get your purse and money out every time you board a bus, it just makes you even more worried."

With just £80 a week income support, she said she will simply not be able to afford it.

David Green, head of environmental policy at the council, said although the price of fare free passes was being raised significantly, the cost of the half fare pass was being slashed from £25 to £10, and the cost of the £45 bus voucher system was also being cut.

Mr Green said: "One can see that some people might be concerned about getting their purses out in public, and we recognise that concern. While some people will notice an increase with the fare free pass, other people are very pleased with what has happened, it is a difficult balancing act."

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