PENSIONERS in Darlington could see their bus pass charges rise by £3 a year from April.

Darlington Borough Council subsidises the concessionary bus fares scheme, which allows eligible groups of residents to take advantage of half-fare passes.

But the popularity of the scheme means that the council wants to agree a new financial package with the bus operators, which means a small increase in fares for pensioners and other eligible groups.

Darlington council will include an extra £150,000 to subsidise the scheme in its next budget, on addition to £636,000 already contributed.

Councillor Nick Wallis, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Had the borough council not stepped in with this significant amount of money, the pre-paid passes would have been lost, which not only would have hurt pensioners but also the council's aspirations to see more people travelling by public transport."

The council cabinet will discuss the plan on Wednesday.