AN MP is urging a council to think again about plans to increase the cost of concessionary bus fares.

Pensioners are angry at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council proposals for council tax rises of seven per cent and increases in bus passes. More than 1,000 have signed a petition.

Vera Baird, MP for Redcar, joined a protest demonstration of pensioners, on Sunday. She said that local people were appalled that councillors planned to hit pensioners with the 'double whammy' of increased council tax and higher charges for the concessionary bus fares scheme.

Mrs Baird said that the phrase 'victimising the pensioners' was used to her more than once and that the council's ruling coalition must think again.

About 16,000 people travel on concessionary bus passes in East Cleveland. Of these 12,000 use the council scheme which means £12 for a bus pass and a flat concessionary fare rate. The remaining 4,000 choose a Government scheme which is a free pass and half fare travel.

The council proposal is to increase the cost of its bus passes to £15 and charge 40p - a rise of 10p - on its concessionary fares. It is the first rise in concessionary travel in four years. A council spokesman said: "It's still a good deal."

Coun Glyn Nightingale, member for corporate resources, said: "No decisions have been made. But it is not question of withdrawing the bus passes or any facilities for pensioners.

"If we make a decision to increase the bus pass charge it will work out at only one penny per day. And if we do it, we are just keeping pace with inflation."

Independent councillor Mike Findley is the council's older people's champion. He said: "It is morally wrong to raise pensioners' fares. People in their 70s, 80s and 90s come from a different era and do not complain, but they are on a fixed income.

"In some parts of the country, pensioners get free bus passes. Pensioners should be treated the same everywhere Britain.

"I have informed the coalition that I will be opposing these increases for pensioners by whatever means necessary, even if it means supporting the opposition at the full council meeting. We have to look at other ways of making money."