FIVE years of lobbying have paid off for battle-hardened pensioners after Basildon Council decided to dish out free bus passes to the over-60s.

It means that from April pensioners will be able to travel anywhere in the county - except Thurrock - without paying fares.

Bob Sears, chairman of the Basildon Pensioners' Forum, welcomed the announcement, which he said would mean greater freedom, independence and happiness for the district's pensioners.

Published Friday, December 2, 2005