A charity worker has warned that pensioners will rise up in protest against plans to increase bus fares in Oxford.

Mary Daniels, of Age Concern, said council plans to charge half fares for tickets could harm elderly people's health.

At the moment, senior citizens can travel anywhere in the city for 20p. But the city council is considering charging them half fares to cover a budget deficit.

Mrs Daniels said she was outraged. She said: "Pensioners won't be able to go out as much and will be excluded from the normal pattern of life which other people enjoy.

"All the things that make up a social life have a clear affect on people's health particularly their mental health.

"If people become lonely, that has a detrimental effect on them. I am certain there will be a build-up of protest."

The increases mean pensioners paying 60p to get to the railway station from Rose Hill and 55p from Barton to the Radcliffe Infirmary.

A report to the city's highways committee next Monday, which recommends the increase, says the bill for concessionary bus fares was expected to be up to 150,000 over budget.