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WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?: Victor James with his bus pass

NEWPORT pensioners are angry with the National Assembly after they were issued faulty bus passes.

The Argus has received complaints that several 'Smartcard' bus tickets for over 60s have been issued with photos which do not match the name of the holder.

The Assembly have issued 25,000 Smartcards in the Newport area and 500,000 will be sent across Wales by the end of the year.

Victor James, from Malpas, was issued with a bus pass earlier this month, the photo on his pass is not his, in fact it appears to be a woman's. He and his wife, Maureen are worried about what has happened to the photograph he issued.

Mr James said he knew a handful of people that had been sent faulty bus passes by the Assembly, who took over from local authorities in issuing over 60s passes earlier this year.

His wife added she feared his photo may now be "in the wrong hands" and could be used for fraudulent purposes.

Royce Gardener MBE, 83, Chairman of the Caerleon Pensioners Association was one of those issued a false card.

"Something has gone wrong somewhere," he said.

IN THE PICTURE: Mr James' new pass (top) with his old one below

The Assembly said a small percentage of cards had been misprinted, a spokesman said: "We acknowledge that a technical issue has taken place and are looking in to it."

The Assembly took over the issuing of bus passes from local councils so over 60s could travel across Wales for free.

They have advised residents to raise the issue with Newport Council and to continue using their previous passes.

A spokesman for Newport Council said if anyone had received a faulty pass they could send it to the Civic Centre where council officials would return it to the Assembly.

11:25am Thursday 17th July 2008

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