LONDON (AFP) - Injured war veterans and the families of those killed in active service are to be allowed free travel on London's transport network to recognise their service to Britain, Mayor Boris Johnson said Friday.

The announcement, to coincide with the annual Veterans' Day event, will extend to London residents and visitors to the British capital and take effect from November 2.

Britain, which currently has some 12,000 troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan, has been criticised for its treatment of former soldiers, injured veterans and the families of those killed in the line of the duty.

The new move, which Johnson said could save those eligible up to 200 pounds a year, was welcomed by the government, the country's main veterans association, the Royal British Legion, and service personnel.

War veterans at the moment receive a third off travel on Britain's rail network but there are no other concessions. About 200,000 people, including 15,000 overseas, receive a war pension, according to the defence ministry.

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