DUDLEY North MP Ian Austin will this weekend officially launch a bus tour celebrating ten years of free bus travel for pensioners.

The Midlands Trade Union Congress (TUC) Pensioners Network Tour celebrates the 10th anniversary of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme which gave free bus travel to pensioners and eligible disabled people anywhere in England.

Mr Austin will launch the tour – which the TUC is running to help protect the bus pass and encourage more investment to expand bus services in the Midlands - from Dudley Bus Station at 11.30am tomorrow (Saturday April 7).

The bus will then embark on a two-week journey around the Midlands, ending in Skegness on April 21.

Mr Austin said: “I am delighted to kick of the Pensioners Network Bus Tour in Dudley.

“Bus passes help pensioners care for relatives, help look after the grandkids and get involved with local charities and community groups, as well as going out with friends.

“I think it is great that the TUC are doing this. Bus travel brings so many financial, health and social benefits to older and disabled people."