MORE than 10,000 bus passes have been issued to concessionary and disabled passengers in Lancashire as part of a new public transport scheme.

But Lancashire County Council today said anyone who had not received the new "NoW card" should not worry as old passes continue to be accepted on buses.

The cards are being sent to concessionary pass holders over the age of 60 in Preston, Chorley, Fylde and West Lancashire and to all disabled bus travel pass holders throughout Lancashire.

People who have not yet received a pass will be able to use their old passes beyond the expiry date of March 31, 2003, until further notice.

This is to make sure everyone continues to receive entitlement to reduced fares during the changeover.

A county spokesman said: "The distribution of the new cards is going extremely well considering the size of the scheme.

"So far we have distributed around 25 per cent of our initial target with more being sent out every day.

"For the time being the cards will be used simply as a pass to be shown to the driver, but soon new ticket machines will read the cards electronically.

"The introduction of NoW card is an exciting concept, which will provide a platform for smart card applications in other areas of local government for the benefit of other bus travel groups."

The NoW cards scheme is being extended to all newly qualifying concessionary applicants across Lancashire, with new applications now being accepted from any Lancashire resident over the age of 60 and from disabled people.