Thousands of parents have signed a petition calling for an extension to the Freedom Pass... but the council says it can't afford it.

Kent County council leaders say they haven't the available cash to extend 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.

Now 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 - will trigger a debate by county councillors next week.

It 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 a 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.

“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,” she said.

But Kent County Council leader Cllr Paul Carter (Con) said 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.

"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.

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.

“We could do some research on the costs and charge everybody £250. My only reservation about that is that those who are over 16 can do casual part-time jobs as a way of supporting those costs,” he added.

Opposition UKIP county councillor Mike Baldock said he backed those calling for a change.

He argued KCC could halt what he said were “unnecessary road widening schemes” to pay for it.

“Given the government has changed the school leaving age, it has cost implications for parents. If it takes decisions like this, it should ensure councils have the money. KCC should look at this as a priority – it is not fair for families to shoulder the burden,” he said.

• The petition will be handed over next week to Kent County Council.