BURNLEY Council has hit out at cabbies who claim a decision to deregulate the number of black cab licences it hands out could be seen as racist.

The authority's executive has agreed to no longer limit the number of Hackney Carriage drivers it allows to operate in the borough - a move which has angered drivers.

As reported in Tuesday's Lancashire Telegraph, Hackney Carriage drivers have appointed a solicitor to pursue their fight and take the council to court because they claim the authority has ignored expert advice which said there was no demand to increase the 34 licences it grants.

Their solicitor Aubrey Isaacson also stated because all of the borough's Hackney Carriage drivers were from ethnic minorities some could view the authority's actions to open the market as racist.

Now after councillors opened up the market the two are set for a showdown in court.

Sue Graham, licencing officer for the council, told the meeting, out of 66 people who had expressed an interest in becoming a driver, 64 were from Asian heritage.

Coun Peter Doyle said Hackney Carriage drivers could not be an exception and that every other trade in the borough was open to competition.

He added: "To introduce race into this argument is an absolute disgrace.

"It was not an issue and never will be an issue."