PETER Pike has called for East Lancashire pensioners and the disabled to get a better concessionary fare scheme.

The Burnley MP wants the generous cut-price travel available in London to be extended nationwide.

He intervened in a speech by London MP John McDonnell to say: "The government have done much to ensure that concessionary fares are available in parts of the country.

"You represent a London constituency. Should we not have a similar generous scheme throughout the country for people who live in constituencies such as mine in Burnley?"

Mr McDonnell replied: "Just eight months ago we presented to parliament a petition calling for a national system of concessionary fares.

"One of the most popular things that the Greater London Council did - I say this as a former Greater London Council member and chair of its Finance Committee which paid for the scheme - was to introduce the concessionary fare scheme for retired people in London.

"Not only would a national scheme be a wonderful investment in terms of improving the quality of life of many older people, but it would also help to maintain the bus service overall because the increased usage would attract other members of the family onto the buses as well."