Pendle Council, the authority responsible for the setting of fares for hackney carriage taxis in the Borough, is issuing a warning that racism towards local taxi drivers will not be tolerated.

Coun Mrs Kathleen Shore, Chairman of the Taxi Licensing Committee, said : "Since a story appeared in the local press about a fare of £4.50 charged by a hackney carriage driver for a journey from Nelson bus station to the new Yarnspinners Wharf health centre, Asian taxi drivers in Nelson have been subjected to some racist abuse.

"Pendle Council is sending out a message loud and clear that racism will not be tolerated in our Borough."

Hackney carriage fares are set by the Council, and meters in the hackney carriage vehicles are set accordingly.

Taxi drivers of hackney carriages who charge any more than the fares set by the Council are committing a criminal offence.

The journey from Nelson bus station to the health centre should have cost around £2.50.

Coun Mrs Shore added, "We take very seriously the report that a passenger was overcharged on his journey to the new health centre and have investigated the matter with the help of local hackney carriage drivers.

"Unfortunately, we have been unable to identify the taxi driver responsible.

Mr Akram, a local hackney carriage driver, said, "We are disappointed that one taxi driver has taken advantage of an older passenger and charged more than is permitted.

"This one individual has contributed to a bad name for other taxi drivers in Pendle who always abide by rules and charge only fares set by the Council."