Charges for Cornwall's concessionary bus pass holders

The council said it was a "necessary measure" to protect evening and weekend bus services

People with concessionary bus passes in Cornwall will have to pay to travel at certain times from January to help save the council money.

Pass holders will be charged the standard fare for journeys before 0930 or after 2300 from Monday to Friday.

Free travel will continue for holders at all other times, including weekends and Bank Holidays.

Cornwall Council said the money generated would help protect evening and weekend bus services.

In November the council set its emergency budget in a bid to save £170m over the next four years.

The council said introducing peak-time charges would bring it into line with local authorities in other parts of the country.

"We understand how important the evening and weekend services are to people in Cornwall and have had to take this necessary measure to protect them," spokesman Graeme Hicks said.