Sutton Council has apologised after the wife of a paralysed stroke victim was told that he needed to collect his free bus pass in person.

There seemed a good reason why Peter Foot, 70, could not turn up at the civic centre - he was trying to regain movement at St Helier Hospital.

His wife, Frances, was stunned when she could not renew his freedom pass, despite having ID documents and photographs.

She explained how Peter had been left paralysed down the right side of his body last month, but officers simply repeated their request for him to visit.

Frances, 70, from North Cheam, told the Sutton Guardian: "It just made no sense. What's the poor fella supposed to do?

"They told me he would have to come down himself, but we don't know how long it will be before he can walk again.

"I only wanted to sort out the pass, so it was one extra thing off my plate. Now we have to go through all this rigmarole.

"My dad, who is 94, had no trouble when a neighbour renewed a pass on his behalf at Hammersmith and Fulham Council. I'm not happy."

This week Sutton Council spokesman said: "We are sorry to hear that this lady felt we had not dealt with her enquiry in a sensitive fashion.

"However, although the rules are clear that people must attend in person to collect their pass, we will now contact this lady again to ensure her husband is able to receive his freedom pass."

From April1, the pass entitles people aged 60 or over to free travel after 9.30am on buses across England.