DEVON County Council is appealing for around 4,000 National bus pass holders in the county to get in touch as they may potentially be without an updated pass.

The council re-issued almost 175,000 passes direct to registered addresses in the county earlier this year. Passes were re-issued without residents needing to re-apply unless their address or photo needed updating. However, around 4,000 passes have been returned as undeliverable.

The county is now trying to re-unite the passes with their owners who may have moved to another part of the county but not contacted the council with an updated address since April 1. Passes will be forwarded onto their new address free of charge.

Cllr Stuart Hughes, cabinet member for highways, said: 'Some residents may not yet realise their old pass has expired and is no longer valid.

'This is most likely due to a change of address during the last five years but they are yet to inform Devon County Council of their change of address so that their new National bus pass can be sent directly to them.

'Although some of the residents may have unfortunately passed away, and others may have moved to another part of the country without letting us know, it is still quite likely that a large number of the 4,000 passes have a rightful owner somewhere in Devon.

'Devon has more concessionary pass holders than any other County Council, so our team has done exceptionally well in ensuring that the vast majority of bus pass holders have received their updated pass on time.

'Devon County Council would very much like to unite National bus passes with the rightful owner as soon as possible so their entitlement to concessionary travel can resume.'

If you, a relative or neighbour used to have a National bus pass but have not received a new one please contact or call 01392 383688/ 01271 383688.