June Winton has mounted a one-woman campaign after she discovered her Gillingham house is not included in an "inner" bus zone - but the village of Borstal is.

Ms Winton, 53, wrote to the Local Government Ombudsman complaining it could cost her £5.20 for a day ticket to Gillingham High Street, just 20 minutes' walk away.

The legal secretary, who has enlisted Gillingham and Rainham MP Rehman Chishti to her cause, claims she hit a brick wall with Medway Council and bus operator Arriva.

Ms Winton, pictured left and of Castlemaine Avenue, said: "I always knew I could be in the inner zone by walking one stop, but I didn't realise until I looked at the map properly how unfair it is.

"I have been commuting to London for 20 years, but last week I finished a temping job, so I'll have to travel to Chatham to sign on."

Arriva's "inner Medway" zone ends just beyond Gillingham railway station and bus depot, but in the other direction it continues to Borstal and St Mary's Island.

A day ticket for both zones costs £5.20 compared to £4 for the inner zone. A monthly ticket costs £47 for the inner zone or £68 for both zones.

Ms Winton, who also complained there was no bus she could catch to Gillingham station, said: "I'm so fed up and it's not just about me. Unemployed people in Gillingham can't afford £5 to take a short journey to Chatham."

Mr Chishti wrote to Arriva managing director Heath Williams, who suggested Ms Winton could "purchase a one-hour ticket for just £3.20."

He added: "As you would appreciate, moving a boundary for a zonal ticket will always create a situation where some households benefit from a lower-price ticket, while others may have to pay a higher fare."

Robin Cooper, the council's community director, told Mr Chishti: "Medway Council does not have the powers to plan to local bus network, as happens in London."

Medway Council budgeted £1.5 million this year for "integrated transport" measures, which includes funding low-demand bus routes.

Ms Winton said: "They're passing the buck. We all pay council tax for buses so the council should be able to do something about it."

An Arriva spokesman confirmed it was the company's own responsibility to set bus zones. No changes are planned.