It was a moment Pauline Breach had been waiting for for five months, along with hundreds of other elderly and disabled people.

The 71-year-old, who has been using a wheelchair since 2004 after losing a leg, was the first to receive a booklet of travel vouchers hot off the press this week.

Mrs Breach, a widow, is one of many in Maidstone borough who cannot, or feels unable to due to her disability, use a bus. She was left without help with her transport when the previous travel voucher scheme ceased in April.

She received her vouchers for the new scheme from Maidstone council leader, Cllr Chris Garland (Con) at Maidstone Age Concern, Mill Street, which will be administering the scheme.

Travel vouchers were axed under the previous Lib Dem administration in April, over fears that the costs of the free over 60s bus pass would be more than the budget allocated by the government, and cost the council extra funds.

Mrs Breach, who has a lift in her house to enable her to get upstairs, said: “I was a little disappointed when I heard they were going in April. It isn’t rocket science to help me come into town.

“I did feel bad, not just for me but for everybody that wouldn’t be getting the vouchers.

“But when I read that we were going to get them again, it was quite nice.”

Mrs Breach, who has two sons and three grandchildren, said: “I will use the vouchers to go to town mainly once a week, as I don’t like using buses with my chair.”

Maidstone council leader Cllr Chris Garland, said: “The main thing is it is up and running in a manner that replaces the previous scheme and those who need to benefit from it can.

“We have come up with an alternative in the space of five months.”

And Maidstone Age Concern chief executive Paul Coles said: “We are pleased to be able to do this. We think it is a fantastic scheme helping other people with real need.

“We think it is going to be a success and a lot of the credit needs to go to Maidstone council for providing the grant to do the scheme.

“We look forward to hearing how people actually use the vouchers.”

The vouchers, worth £2 each, are for use with taxis or any community transport scheme. The journey must start or finish in the Maidstone borough.

So far, there have been 76 applications approved and 305 application forms have been sent out. The first print run was for 500 booklets.

Letters will be sent out this week to all those who have been accepted to receive the vouchers.

Scheme administrator Linda Amuro will be in the Age Concern office in Mill Street on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10am and 4pm to distribute the vouchers and answer queries. Outside those times people can leave a message on 01622 753618.