Pensioners are demanding free transport across the district from transport chiefs.

Bradford pressure group Forum Focused on Pensioner Power has collected 3,500 signatures on a petition which it plans to hand over to Councillor Stanley King, chairman of Metro the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority.

Men and women over the age of 60 are entitled to off-peak concessionary travel on buses and trains throughout West Yorkshire through Metro's Senior Permit scheme. But the forum says this is not enough.

Forum secretary Audrey Raistrick said: "We think it's important. Pensioners are isolated and transport is extremely costly.

"If we hold meetings we have to have them between 10am and 3pm so people can use the cheap fares. If we have them outside of these hours people cannot afford to come.

"This structures people's lives and tells them what they can and can't do. People may say the bus or train fares are not much but it's a lot out of a small pension."

The forum, which has been campaigning against the proposed closure of 17 post office branches across the district , says if the closures goes ahead pensioners will become even more dependant of public transport. "If post offices close, people will have to go to the bank or another post office branch which is further away," said Mrs Raistrick.

"A lot of pensioners will be unable to walk there so they will have to go by bus. The cost is appalling and it affects pensioners more than anyone else."

Metro Senior Permit holders can travel for a maximum 30p off-peak fare throughout West Yorkshire between 9.30am and 3pm and after 6pm, Monday to Friday, on all trains and buses displaying the Metro symbol.

The 30p fare also applies all day Saturday and Sunday and on Public Holidays. Permit holders can also travel for half fare between 3pm and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Councillor King said: "We would welcome free travel for pensioners but unless funding for free travel schemes were provided through Government grants, it would not be affordable.

"Providing concessions for elderly people in West Yorkshire currently costs Metro more than £13 million per year but if free travel were to be provided, this figure would rise dramatically to over £22m.

"Without additional central Government cash this would either be reflected in higher council tax bills across Bradford and West Yorkshire or Metro would have no choice but to withdraw subsidies for many vital bus services across the county."