CALLS have been made to amend the timings of a bus service from Puddington to Exeter to allow elderly users to use their free bus pass.

Local campaigner Mel Stride has appealed for changes to be made to the 678 service from Witheridge to Exeter, which stops in Puddington.

His call comes after a number of Puddington residents voiced their concerns over the timing of the service, which leaves the village at 9.25am – five minutes before elderly customers are entitled to use their free bus pass.

Mel said that, with the bakery, shop and Post Office all closing in recent years, many residents now need to travel to places such as Exeter to do their shopping.

However, he has been told the timing of the service has meant that some residents who should be able to go free have to pay full fare to travel. In extreme cases, others are having to avoid the service because of the cost.

Mel has now written to the bus operator Turners Tours, of Chulmleigh, asking it to consider pushing the service back by five minutes to allow the free bus travel plan to come into effect.

He has also asked them to consider an alternative solution, to organise a voluntary extension for national bus pass holders to 9am to allow pensioners in Puddington to travel with their passes.

Mel, who is also the Prospective Conservative MP for Central Devon said: "Public transport is understandably a big issue in our more isolated rural communities, especially for our elderly who are often without a car.

"Turners is a much appreciated local bus operator and I am hoping that they might be able to help us out on this occasion."