A group of energetic pensioners pulled over for a break in Bury on Tuesday before continuing an eight-hour public transport marathon.

Members of the Pensioners' Association travelled on seven buses, three trains and a tram through all ten of Greater Manchester's districts, ahead of the first anniversary of the free travel scheme for older and disabled people.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority introduced free travel on buses, trains and trams for over 60s and disabled people in the county on 1 April last year. The group wore specially designed marathon vests to encourage people to take advantage of the initiative.

The Bury spokesperson for the Passenger Transport Authority, Councillor John Byrne, welcomed the pensioners as they arrived at Bury Interchange. He said: "Free travel for older and disabled people has been incredibly popular since it was introduced last year. It's made it much easier for people to get out and about to visit different areas of Greater Manchester.

"I'd like to thank the members of the Pensioners' Association for giving up their time to take part in a public transport marathon to promote the scheme. I'd encourage anyone who's over 60 or disabled, but doesn't yet have a pass, to pick up one."

The pensioners set off from St Peter's Square Metrolink stop in Manchester at 9.30am and travelled to Stretford in Trafford, Chorlton in South Manchester, Stockport, Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham and Rochdale, before reaching Bury by bus at 2.30pm. From Bury, they travelled by bus to Bolton and continued their journey to Wigan and Salford, before arriving back in Manchester at 5.30pm.

The chair of the Pensioners Association in Greater Manchester, Tommy Walsh, was among those participating in the marathon.

He said: "Free travel for over 60s has made a huge difference to some pensioners, who may otherwise not have been able to afford to leave their homes.

"I'm looking forward to being able to travel for free on off-peak buses anywhere in England, as well as locally, when the government extends the free bus travel scheme from April next year.

"I'm pleased to have been able to help publicise the initiative by taking part in the marathon."

More than half a million older and disabled people in Greater Manchester are able to travel for free on public transport within the county between 9.30am and midnight, from Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on bank holidays.

Greater Manchester is one of the few areas of England where the free travel scheme introduced last year has been extended to cover trains and trams as well as buses.

Passengers are also able to travel for free on buses to destinations up to ten miles outside the county.

Anyone without a free travel pass can apply for one at a GMPTE Travelshop or their local council office. They will need to take a passport-sized photo, proof of age (e.g. passport or birth certificate) and proof of address (e.g. rent book or utility bill).

Further details about the free travel scheme for older and disabled people is available in Travelshops, at www.gmpte.com, or by calling Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 (calls cost 10p per minute from landlines). Lines are open from 7am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 8pm at weekends.