PENSIONERS have reacted angrily to the prospect of losing their free countywide travel because of the actions of bus companies.

The Daily Echo today launches a petition urging the government to prevent the operators' legal challenge from ending free bus travel in Hampshire for the over-60s, with the backing of MPs and pensioners' groups.

Major bus providers, including First and Stagecoach, are upset because they feel they should be receiving a full fare for each of the thousands of trips made by pensioners.

Should they win, the county's local authorities could be forced to pay hundreds of thousands of pounds in compensation, as well as facing problems with how to finance the scheme in the future.

Pensioners meeting at Totton's Three Score Club yesterday were outraged at the prospect of losing the ability to go anywhere in Hampshire.

"Let's face it, we don't get much as pensioners," said Ray Morris, of Brackley Way, Totton.

"It's not only a necessity to get into Southampton, but it's a day out. We pay an awful lot in taxes, but what do we actually get back?"

Les Warren, of Kinross Road, Totton, said the service was vital for many poorer pensioners, and is worried it is another example of them losing out.

"If it goes I would be concerned that we're not getting what we've been promised," he said.

Romsey MP Sandra Gidley backed the petition, saying a countywide travel system is essential to elderly residents.

"Losing the service would have a huge impact because services don't respect borders," said the Liberal Democrat front bencher.

"People who live in Chandler's Ford might live in one borough but have a doctor in another, and they wouldn't be able to get to their doctor, which is ridiculous.

Chris Perry, director of Age Concern Hampshire believes people should support the campaign.

"Lack of transport can be a great cause of social isolation," he said.

"As far as people in Hampshire are concerned they want and need to go to the major conurbations, which does mean crossing authority boundaries, even to go to hospital.

"I think the government needs to reject the appeal, and at the same time sort out the funding of the scheme, but we can't see anything that would adversely effect free travel."

Also among the first to pledge his support was Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne.

"This is a good Daily Echo campaign that I'm happy to back," he said.

"If the bus companies won their case it would reduce the quality of life of many pensioners in the Hampshire area, with no benefit to the bus companies because they will have to continue to run the buses that aren't being used."

You can download a copy of our petition by clicking here to download and print our special SAVE OUR FREE HAMPSHIRE BUS PASSES petition, get your friends and neighbours to sign it and post it back to Jon Reeve, Southern Daily Echo, Newspaper House, Test Lane, Redbridge, Southampton SO16 9JX.