EQUALITY campaigner John Taylor is celebrating victory is his long-running battle of the bus pass.

The retired postman from Norton, near Malton, reacted with delight to the news that the Travel Concessions (Eligibility) Bill passed through Parliament.

When it reaches the statute books it will enable men over 60 to claim free bus travel, which Mr Taylor, a member of the campaign group Parity, claims is a landmark victory.

"The Government should have introduced this in the first place.

"However, it is good news that it has finally gone through," he said. "The fight will go on, however, because we are still campaigning for equal pension rights."

He said the fight would continue until men were allowed to collect pensions when they turn 60, giving them the same status as women.

He added: "Men are being denied their basic human rights. Women are entitled to claim their pensions and free bus travel at the age of 60 whereas men have to wait until they are 65. It is unfair."

l Winter fuel payments were extended to men aged 60 and over following a campaign by Mr Taylor.