THE retired postman who forced the Government to change the law on fuel payments for pensioners is preparing to do battle again - this time on the buses.

John Taylor, York and District organiser for the campaign group Parity, is helping build a legal case against the Government's policy on travel concessions.

As the law stands, local authorities are under no legal obligation to issue travel passes to pensioners. In practice, some issue concessions to women at 60 and men at 65, and others give them to both sexes at 65.

But the Government's new Transport Bill, which could become law some time in the Autumn, may force authorities to issue concessions to men and women at different ages.

"Men aged 60 to 64 should be given justice and equality now," said Mr Taylor, from Norton.

"Currently, Ryedale District Council and City of York Council, are under no obligation to issue travel tokens. Under the new Transport Bill, things will get worse. Local authorities will be forced to make the discrimination compulsory by issuing them to women at 60 and men at 65," added Mr Taylor, who is soon to start receiving his state pension.

Last year Mr Taylor hit the headlines when he took the Government to the European Court of Justice and won a case proving men and women should receive winter fuel payments at the age of 60.

This time Parity are taking the Government to the European Court of Human Rights, to try and prove the current situation with concessions discriminates against men.

A spokesman for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions said the Transport Bill would ensure a minimum standard in concessionary fares for pensioners. He also said women would qualify for concessions at 60 and men at 65 and, in the Department's opinion, this was perfectly legal.