County councilors have today promised to look into extending the hugely-popular Freedom Pass to young people up to the age of 18.

The pass, which has proved hugely popular since it was introduced, is only available to school children from the age of 11 to 16.

But the county council is under pressure to extend the scheme after more than 15,000 people signed a petition calling for a change.

The petition - one of the largest presented to the county council - means the issue has had to be considered by the county council at today's full council meeting.

A review to consider possible options has now been promised.

The petition was started by Lynne Miller, from Deal, who says it is unfair that the council does not offer the same pass to sixth formers and college students.

Many parents and students have been dismayed at discovering that the costs of a bus pass for those over the age of 16 jumps from £100 to £520.

Although that is partly-subsidised scheme, it is four times more expensive than the existing Freedom Pass.

Mrs Miller said it was a burden many families could not afford. She has a son about to go in to the sixth form at a Sandwich secondary school and a daughter already in the sixth form in a Canterbury school.

She said: "The cost of living is rising all the time and it is unfair on families struggling to meet those costs. Either the government should give the council more money or the council should find the money itself. It is unfair and a big jump in costs once your children are over the age of 16."

But KCC leader Cllr Paul Carter (Con) said last week the money was not there to extend the Freedom Pass.

"We are a victim of our own success to a degree and we are already the most generous authority in the country so far as the scheme is concerned," he said. "I do have enormous sympathy with parents having to get their youngsters to school and sixth form colleges but we have got less money, not more money."

He said the council may consider a scheme which extended the age range of the Freedom Pass but it would have to involve a higher fee.