TAXI drivers in Rossendale are threatening strike action over proposed changes to their licences.

Rossendale Council is planning to reduce the current licence renewal period for taxi drivers from every three years to every 12 months in a bid to ensure they are 'fit and proper' people.

But taxi drivers in the Valley are unhappy with the amounts they are having to pay to relicense their vehicles.

Ann Kenyon, secretary of Haslingden Taxi Association, said that motorists could launch strike action over the proposals.

She said: "We've currently got three year carriage licence badges and the council want to make them 12 months - we don't have a problem with that.

"At the moment we have to pay £36 for a CRB check, £75 for a medical and £150 for a badge. If you haven't had a badge before you must pay £58 for a driving test.

"But now they want us to pay £36 CRB, £165 for a medical and £285 for the badge over three years plus £58 test.

"The total cost of the badge is going up by a large proportion. I've got to include increases in the minimum wage, insurance and holiday pay.

"On top of that we have to sign a large document in front of a solicitor to say you're not telling lies!"

Mrs Kenyon said that it was possible drivers would end up back on the dole because they won't be able to afford to buy the badge - which is the responsibility of an individual, not a company they work for.

She added: "Rossendale Valley is a rural area - there just isn't the work for everybody.

"I am against strikes but a lot of drivers are talking about striking and they will do it."

A council spokesman said: "Council tax payers cannot be expected to subsidise the licensing of taxis in Rossendale.

"The proposed fees for the new annual licences reflect the extra administration time and cost to the Council."