AN ENHANCED travel scheme that will benefit everyone aged over 60 or registered disabled is set to be introduced by North Wiltshire District Council.

From April 1, people aged 60 and over or who are disabled will be able to travel on buses throughout England without paying a fare.

The new pass, known locally as the Wiltshire Bus Pass, will be issued by North Wiltshire District Council and will give free travel all day at weekends and on Bank Holidays and between 9.30am and 11pm Mondays to Fridays.

The new bus pass - a credit card sized plastic smartcard - will have a standard design across the country, so bus drivers everywhere in England will recognise it easily.

Existing pass holders need not apply, provided that the council knows their current address - they should receive a new national pass automatically.

Coun Viv Vines, North Wiltshire District Council's lead member for leisure and economy, said: "Living in a mostly rural district, transport is an extremely important issue.

"We have been keen to ensure that those aged 60 or over or who are registered disabled are able to make use of the local bus network."