PLANS to end pensioners' discount admissions at a visitor attraction have been criticised.

Durham County Council's executive committee, meeting behind closed doors, has voted to scrap the concessionary price charged at Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum, in Weardale.

At present, pensioners get £1 off both the £5 charge for visiting the site and the mine, and the £3.40 for visiting the site only.

The move is designed to raise more income, along with an extra hour's opening between July and September, to help offset the costs of a staff restructuring.

The council's director of arts, libraries and museums, Patrick Conway, said that the changes would help to simplify the museum's complex pricing system.

He told councillors that pensioners visiting Killhope were "relatively affluent'' and those needing concessions usually came in groups eligible for a discount.

But Tony Moore, Independent councillor for Shildon North-East, fears older visitors will be put off.

"I think it is penny-pinching and they won't gain anything. Why do it - it's only £1?

"I just hope that people are not put off because it is a worthwhile museum.''

A council spokeswoman said: "Our present pricing structure favours the family, and we are looking to continue that.

"We feel that the change will not harm the market of grandparents bringing grandchildren, as they will be able to get a family ticket.