Councillors facing decisions about cutting transport subsidies for young people have been presented with a petition of opposition signed by more than 1,300 people.

Students handed over the petition at a meeting of Norfolk County Council's cabinet today, warning that many of their peers would be unable to keep going to college without the discounted bus fares available to students.

The passes for 16 to 19-year-olds could rise from £468 a year to beween £800 and 850, with low income families seeing a rise from £351 to £600-£638, as the authority seeks to save £189m over three years.

Council leader George Nobbs said all options had to be examined during the consultation, but commended the students for their efforts and added that there was 'considerable sympathy' for their cause. The public consultation on the cuts – Putting People First – ends on December 12.