A council has told drivers of private hire vehicles not to pick up passengers without a booking after two of them were convicted of the offence following a Harry Styles concert.

Mohammad Bashir and Sharam Bahram were caught out by an undercover operation at the time of the former One Direction man's concert at Old Trafford Cricket Ground last year.

Bashir, of Belgrave Street, Nelson, was convicted of uninsured driving and unlicensed plying for trade.

He offered to take undercover officers posing as customers to Manchester without a booking.

Bahram, of Cornbrook Court, Old Trafford, was convicted of uninsured driving and unlicensed plying for trade.

He offered to take undercover officers posing as customers to Altrincham.

Private hire drivers may only transport customers who have pre-booked a car; this is different to Hackney carriage taxis, which can be hailed in the street.

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At Manchester Magistrates' Court last month, Bashir was ordered to pay a total of more than £800 in a fine and court costs. He also received eight points on his driving licence.

Bahram was ordered to pay a total of more than £1500 in a fine and court costs. He received eight points on his driving licence.

In response, Councillor Rose Thompson, executive member for communities and safety at Trafford Council, said: "Trafford Council will continue to take action against those who flout laws which are there to protect public safety and in doing this to support those who trade legitimately. 

"Within the Trafford area only licensed hackney carriages can be hailed on the street without a booking.

"By making illegal pick-ups in this way, private hire drivers invalidate their insurance, put customers at risk and face prosecution and possible loss of their licence."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.