BY now Manju Ghosh will be well on her way to Land's End on a epic 700-mile bus journey.

The 60-year-old Bolton resident will be the first person in the UK to fully use up the advantages of the new bus pass for the over sixties.

The National Bus Travel Concession scheme allows pass-hiolder to leap frog by bus from authority to authority and travel free.

After being seen off by Minister for the North West Beverley Hughes and Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority vice

chairman, Councillor Allen Brett she began her 12-day trip of a lifetime from Berwick-upon-Tweed.

She is travelling through Newcastle, Darlington, Selby, York, Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield, Oxford, Bath, Dorchester, Penzance and Land's End with friend Christine.They will use their travelling time to complete their favourite puzzle - the Guardian newspaper's daily crossword.

Said Manju: "I think that public transport is very important and that people rely too much on their cars. Not only is it better for the environment but it means that you can relax and do a crossword or read a book while someone else does the driving!"

The National Travel Pass entitles people aged 60 and over and eligible disabled people to free travel on local bus services anywhere in England from 9.30am to 11pm on weekdays and all day at weekends and on Bank Holidays.

Greater Manchester residents can use their pass for free travel on local bus services in the county through to midnight. They can also travel for free on Greater Manchester's local trains and tram services from 9.30am, with concessions before then.

Greater Manchester residents can find out more by visiting www.gmpte.com or calling 0161 244 1050.