Men will now be able to enjoy cheap travel concessions at 60 rather than 65, the Government announced yesterday.

Until now women have been entitled to concessionary fares on public transport when they reach 60, with men having to wait an extra five years.

But the Department for Transport has now brought forward legislation to bring men into line with women.

The concessions range from half-price fares in some areas to free travel in other areas on buses and trains outside peak times.

Local authorities will be given an additional £50 million to help them meet the costs of equalising the age of entitlement.

Around one million men will benefit from the arrangement. Transport Minister John Spellar said today: "This is very good news for a great number of older men. Bus services are a vital means of linking communities and tackling the problem of social exclusion."