PENSIONERS have accused a council of stupidity for making them queue for more than an hour to receive a bus pass.

There have been reports of elderly people fainting while waiting for concessionary passes in Darlington Town Hall.

This is the time of year when pensioners have to renew their passes, and Darlington Borough Council has introduced a system which involves people coming to the town hall in alphabetical order.

However, pensioners say the system has resulted in them having to stand for at least an hour until they can get their new pass.

Audrey Chambers, 72, who lives in Darlington, said the queues were so bad on Wednesday that she walked out.

"I have had two hip operations and the last thing I needed was to queue for over an hour for a bus pass," she said.

"There are some seats in the town hall, but most people had to stand until it was their turn.

"It is sheer stupidity by the council to expect elderly people to queue like this, and I don't understand why they have introduced this system."

One of the main problems is that the council insists on taking their own photographs for the passes, instead of allowing people to bring in their own.

Kay McLeod, who is eligible for a disabled bus pass, had been in the town hall on other business and witnessed the lengthy queues.

She said one woman fainted and others waiting to apply for their concessionary passes were forced to wait up to 90 minutes.

"It was very badly organised. People in wheelchairs had to wait for someone to come out and push them along so they could have their pictures taken."

A spokesman for Darlington council admitted there was no easy way to issue 17,000 bus passes by April 1.

"We have made extra seats available and have opened another point for people to pick up their passes," he said.

"Once the information has been put in the computer, we can send passes out to people rather than them waiting 15 to 20 minutes to take them away.

"There is no easy way to do this and we would like to thank people for their patience."