Pensioners in Swindon have lost their fight for cheaper rail travel.

Councillors last night approved a scheme which will cut the cost of bus travel but leave pensioners without a rail concession.

The chosen scheme will give pensioners a choice of half price fares or £40 worth of bus travel using magnetic cards. It will also offer £60 of travel tokens for the mobility impaired.

About 20 pensioners attended the council's cabinet meeting left feeling disgusted and ignored.

Campaigner Frank Avenell, of the Fairness For Pensioners group, said the council should look to follow the example set by other local authorities.

"They haven't listened to us at all tonight. The number of authorities offering a choice or mixture of schemes is now 55, up from 46 in 1995.

"This reflects growing diversity of provision. My request is that similar discounted travel by rail should also be an option available to entitled citizens in Swindon."

After the meeting, Mr Avenell said he was disappointed and wondered whether councillors really listened to those who elected them.

However, councillors decided to stick with the recommendation put forward by the task group established to look into the matter.

The other option considered would have included a free voucher for a senior railcard and a token system for the less mobile.

The recommendation was made on the grounds that the first option would provide the best value for money and benefit those most needing concessionary travel.

Coun Kelvin King (Lab, Haydon Wick) said: "It was felt this option would benefit the majority and was unanimously adopted."

Coun Michael Barnes (Lab, Western) said: "We are still running a very generous scheme."

However, Mr Avenell and his supporters have vowed to fight on after reflecting on the council's decision.