FOREST Heath residents eligible for a bus pass will be able to enjoy free travel in Suffolk 24 hours a day, seven days a week now Suffolk councils have extended a national bus pass scheme.

At the moment, the majority of bus pass holders are entitled to off-peak travel in the local authority area within which they live.

From 1 April the new National Free Travel Bus Pass scheme comes into force and will entitle pass holders to free off-peak travel (9.30am to 11pm Monday to Friday and all day weekends and Bank Holidays) on any local buses in England.

In Forest Heath and across Suffolk the district and borough councils have gone further and passes will cover bus travel at all times - 24 hours a day, seven days a week for travel in the county.

This is not the case in many local authority areas where free travel will only be available in off-peak times for all bus pass holders.

All Forest Heath residents with an existing bus pass will automatically be sent a new National Free Travel Bus Pass during the week beginning 24 March.

Forest Heath residents who would qualify for a bus pass but do not currently have one, can apply by calling in at the council’s Mildenhall, Newmarket or Brandon offices. Further information can be found on the website www.forest-heath.gov.uk

People who are 60 or over, blind or have an eligible disability can apply for a pass.