York pensioner Eileen Sotheran was looking forward to cut-price days out with her new council bus pass - but discovered she would need to travel back in time to use it.

Mrs Sotheran, 68, of Keith Avenue, Huntington, was attracted to a new type of pass which allows York pensioners to travel half-price throughout North Yorkshire.

She dutifully went along to Huntington Community Centre to fill out her details and have her picture taken for the pass.

But when it arrived in the post on Friday she was stunned to see the expiry date was November 1998.

"I just couldn't believe it when I saw the date," said the retired shop assistant.

"It is unbelievable. I think there must have been an almighty mess-up."

She contacted City of York Council and was told a new pass would be issued to her.

"I can't believe anyone checked it. The date is in big black letters, which you can't miss. I can even see it without my glasses on."

A City of York Council spokesman said: "We were alerted to this mistake last week and, having investigated, it does appear to be a one-off administrative error for which we apologise. The scheme is proving very successful and we are dealing with thousands of applications from pensioners across the city.

"As soon as we heard of the mistake with Mrs Sotheran's card we ordered a replacement so we can assure her that 'another one will be along in a minute' and is, in fact, already in the post."

Updated: 09:34 Tuesday, April 24, 2001