Angry pensioners are waiting to see if council bosses take on board their plea for a change of heart over axing the subsidy for full fare bus passes.

A delegation of pensioners met senior members and officials from Brentwood Borough Council last week for a frank exchange of views lasting two hours.

Brentwood Council leader Cllr Vicky Cook said later: It was a lively and very useful meeting.

"Some people were able to put forward views I found quite enlightening."

The Liberal Democrat group leader pledged: "Members and officers will go away and discuss the issues raised and come to a decision - we will move quickly. They will get an answer whatever the decision."

One point the council sought to clarify was that unlike the London boroughs, Brentwood receives no government funding for bus pass subsidies.

Among the pensioners' lobby was Sylvia Baynes, 63, of Oakwood Avenue, who has been studying at the Mid Essex Adult Community College in Bishops Hill, Rayleigh Road, Hutton.

She said: "It means a lot to people - access to shops, visiting friends and the freedom of getting on an off a bus. Fingers crossed they might have a re-think."

Published Friday August 23, 2002